- JEDDAH: An estimated 86 percent of charitable societies and foundations inside the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states are based in Saudi Arabia, according to a report titled “Gulf Charity Work: A First Information Report,” prepared by the International Center for Research and Studies (Madad).
According to the report, 26.1 percent of the activities of various charities in the GCC (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE and Oman) concentrate on the poor. The care of orphans comes second with 17.9 percent. The care of the disabled constitutes 16.4 percent of the organizations. An estimated 52.8 percent of the activities of these charities are in the development field. About 13.7 percent of activities are concentrated in rural areas. The activities in the agricultural development represent 13 percent. The report showed that meetings and discussions top with 43.5 percent of activities of the GCC charities, followed by charity programs (17.2 percent) and seminars (8.6 percent).
The report also sheds light on the scientific and cultural activities, such as conferences, seminars, discussions, and workshops on charity works, in addition to organizing of competitions and distribution of prizes by the charities. It also highlights the coverage given by various means of media for charity work of various firms.
Madad Director-General Khaled Al-Soraihi said the report is aimed at playing a positive role in improving charity work.
“It also aims to highlight wide variety of activities and services being rendered by these firms, and their positive impact on society," he said. "This also helps decision-makers work out their strategies vis-à-vis charity work,” he added.