JEDDAH: Over 580 charitable and 176 cooperative societies will benefit from the 50 percent increase in financial aid ordered by King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. The total annual allocation for philanthropic societies will now be SR450 million and SR100 million for cooperative societies. Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Hadlq, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Social Affairs for Social Development, said this will increase the number of beneficiaries who will get support in cash and other ways. Citizens would be able to start small scale projects to generate a regular income from the government's increased support. He said the ministry will soon focus on vocational training for women and productive families so that they can become self-reliant and have skills to earn a living and lead an honorable life. He said the increased financial allocations will allow these societies to shoulder their responsibility towards needy families.
