The Ministry of Social Affairs is planning to establish a social welfare charity funded by wealthy businesspeople and philanthropists, according to Dr. Yusuf Al-Othaimeen, Minister of Social Affairs. The minister revealed the plan here Sunday to Okaz/Saudi Gazette at an ordinary session of the Shoura Council, which was being held to discuss issues related to the ministry. A number of the ministry's officials also attended the session. Amer Al-Luwaihiq, a Shoura Council member, had earlier complained that some businesspeople were not doing enough for their communities. “There are some well-off businessmen and investors who have benefited from the bounties of the nation. They disburse their Zakat every year outside the Kingdom. If this money is paid to the needy inside the country, it would meet the needs of many people.” Al-Othaimeen said the comment struck the nail on the head and the ministry is in the process of setting up a special fund, outside the ministry's official system, that will seek contributions from businesspeople. Al-Luwaihiq added that the minister and the undersecretary of the ministry carry out surprise visits to the rural areas to meet needy people and see how they live. Such visits would really see what people need, rather than depend on the subjective views of the heads of certain groups. Al-Othaimeen briefed the council for 33 minutes on the accomplishments of the ministry. He said the ministry spends over SR26 billion in the form of direct aid to the needy, apart from providing shelter and developmental services. He told Okaz/Saudi Gazette: “It is not a shame to acknowledge that there are some shortcomings, but it is a failing not to rectify them.” He admitted that the Ministry of Social Affairs had not communicated effectively with the Shoura Council regarding issues affecting the ministry's services to the country's needy. He said he could see that the Shoura Council members and Chairman were concerned about the ministry's welfare programs. He promised that he would make every effort to ensure better interaction with the Shoura Council and to address any shortcomings. Al-Othaimeen said the ministry is facing a number of challenges, including a lack of field allowances for its employees, which other ministries pay their workers. He hoped that the Shoura Council would approve the allowance. He added that the ministry also has to deal with substandard contractors who carry out some of its projects. He also said that land is scarce in some regions, particularly the cities. He said the ministry prefers to build shelters and homes in the cities due to the close proximity to schools, hospitals and the relatives of those staying at the ministry's facilities. Al-Othaimeen said that housing projects now fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Housing. This was the reason for the social affairs ministry not going ahead with the 300,000 housing units approved by the Shoura Council for the poor in 2006. __
