RIYADH: There has been a rise in the number of abandoned families in the Kingdom from 17,077 in 2013, to 24,583 families in 2014 and 28,425 families past year, with the government providing for them and other vulnerable citizens, according to the Social Affairs Ministry.

Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Aqla, undersecretary for social security at the ministry, said the government also assists 182,000 divorced women, 155,000 widows, 108,000 widows and orphans, and 35,000 divorced women with children, according to a media report on Friday.

Al-Aqla revealed these statistics on Thursday at the King Abdulaziz Center for National Dialogue in Riyadh during a meeting with Ministry of Justice officials on how to assist the country’s most needy citizens.

He said SR407 million in social security benefits was spent on widows and orphans, SR339 million on divorcees, SR335 million on widows, SR819 million on divorcees with children, and SR318 million on abandoned families.

Minister of Social Affairs Majed Al-Qassabi urged officials to ensure top quality care and assistance are provided to these citizens.

Attendees discussed the obstacles and challenges faced by the courts in cases related to family security, focusing on challenges facing abandoned families and women.