JEDDAH: Thirty-two children living in the Makkah orphanage run by the Ministry of Social Affairs have complained against the decision to transfer them to another facility in Jeddah.

The decision to transfer the orphans has been taken as the lease contract of the building they are staying in is set to end soon, local media has reported.

The 32 inmates, who are more than 15 years of old are to be transferred to Jeddah and 22 others living in the same facility will be shifte to a new building in Makkah.

The 32 orphans have accused the officials at the orphanage of writing negative reports about their behavior to justify their transfer as a punishment.

They have also alleged that they are being verbally abused, in contradiction with the code of ethics and conduct stated by the Ministry of Social Affairs to treat orphans accordingly considering their special circumstances. They alleged that the electricity has been cut off from some of the rooms.

Abdan Al-Zahrani, a spokesman of the ministry, said a committee was formed to study the situation of the orphans.