The Minister of Social Affairs Dr. Yusuf Al-Othaimeen has outlined a plan to eradicate poverty in the Kingdom. He has rejected claims that the Charitable Social Fund (CSF) has failed to do its job and pledged to tackle the problem's root causes. Under the plan, the CSF will work with other organizations to help families on social benefits, prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families, recovering drug addicts and orphans. The minister said: “The plan will provide the needy with vocational and technical training programs, small projects programs and awareness and guidance programs.” He made the promise at the graduation ceremony for 565 CSF trainees in Dammam on Tuesday night. In 2009, 18.9 percent of the population spent less than SR3800 per month on a family with six to eight members. Some two percent were extremely poor and could not meet the basic necessities of life such as food, clothing, housing, education and health. Saudi authorities plan to reduce the poverty rate to 2.2 percent by 2020. In his speech the minister dismissed the payment of cash or providing in kind assistance to the needy and said that evidence proves this grievous problem needs a more comprehensive view. In his speech, he said: “The social charitable fund must use innovative methods that take a broader view of problems and their causes.” Dr. Al-Othaimeen said the needy must “be trained to develop their capabilities and skills so they become self-reliant and productive individuals that contribute in developing social standards instead of being just consumers of money and social aid.” The CSF is designed to create job opportunities, develop skills and encourage Saudi individuals and families to be productive members of society. The ministry has signed agreements with other institutions in the charity sector, social insurance offices, social development centers and regional development committees. “The ministry has referred its dossier on volunteering to the legislative and executive bodies for approval. The ministry is waiting for their approval before they organize the volunteerism movement,” Al
