Othaimeen, Minister of Social Affairs, has categorically denied that his office has been ineffective in addressing poverty. Al-Othaimeen, who stressed that those in need are assisted by several programs, including one that trains sons of poor families to help them earn a living, said the government also provides billions of riyals in aid. Al-Othaimeen addressed accusations Wednesday at a function here to honor his organization's retirees. “The ministry has carried out several programs in this regard, including the Philanthropic Social Fund, which is one instrument created by the government to fight poverty, along with the Credit Fund and Human Resources Development Fund and others,” he said. He added that charitable societies are part of an integrated system to fight poverty and help young people become productive and self-dependent. Al-Othaimeen noted that the government gives SR1 billion per month to needy families. “In fact, the state went far beyond this by allocating a social security fund for people with physical disabilities. It also established rehabilitative centers to train them for jobs that help them earn their living honorably,” he added. He also said the National Philanthropic Fund and others created by the government are taking a variety of actions to fight poverty. He said the Kingdom's National Fund helps needy families, who are unable to get bank loans, establish and operate small businesses. Othaimeen said the Ministry of Social Affairs also spends SR30 million per month to pay social security beneficiaries' electricity bills and provides SR104 million in food aid.
