JEDDAH: Authorities have estimated that the number of beggars arrested in one year across the Kingdom stands at approximately 12,400, of which Saudi beggars constitute 13 percent, a local newspaper reported.

The Ministry of Social Affairs offers four different services to combat begging through its offices.

The services include hosting arrested beggars, studying their social, psychological and medical conditions, offering them services commensurate with their condition, as well as coordinating with the competent authorities to help them stop begging.

The department for the care of orphans takes care of unaccompanied children and provides them with state services to meet their psychological and social needs.

The center also follow-up on foster children to ensure the provision of a good family environment for them, and conducts field visits to solve any problems that might emerge between the involved parties.

At the academic level, the department follows up on the education of the orphans continuously to solve problems they might face, as well as checking up on their physical and psychological health.

The state in this regard provides them with free treatments through the medical insurance system and extends assistance to their families to cover the expenses of the foster child.