JEDDAH: Authorities at the ministries of Finance and Interior and the Civil Defense Tuesday started paying compensation ordered by King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, to victims of the devastating floods that hit Jeddah three weeks ago. The compensation is fair, said Maj. Gen. Muhammad Al-Qarni, Director of the Media Center for Emergency Cases, who pointed out that 500 men and women were given money in the first round of assistance. Compensation has been made according to reports and estimates made by a compensation committee, which has started its work by surveying and assessing the damage, he said. Compensation will be made on the basis of information registered in citizens' records at the Civil Status Department and those who made more than one damage claim will be compensated by one check, he added. Explaining the compensation mechanism, Gen. Al-Qarni said priority will be given to landlords whose buildings have been affected by floods, especially those with damage to infrastructure such as main gates, entrances, electric installations, lifts and other facilities such as toilets, kitchens and garages. The second group is of tenants whose furniture, households and personal belongings were damaged by the floods, he added, pointing out that the housing of victims in furnished flats will be extended for the fourth time if reports show that their residences need further maintenance work. A living allowance is provided to family members: SR500 per man and woman while each child is given SR50.
