KUWAIT CITY, March 4, (KUNA): Kuwait has donated intermittent financial aid worth KD 13.2 million during 2011 to 12,605 families, including 61,605 individuals, of illegal residency status (Bedouns) in Kuwait, Khalid Al-Hussaini, Deputy Manager of Social Services at Kuwait Zakat House, said on Sunday.
Al-Hussaini told KUNA that the number of beneficiary families represent around 38 pct of the total number of families that benefited from the aid that same year, pointing out that Zakat House donated during that year monthly aid to 1,518 families, in which members are around 5,898 individuals; making up an annual cost of KD 4,383 million.
He noted that Zakat House coordinates with the Central Committee for Resolving Illegal Residents in paying health insurance fees to those who “don’t have the committee’s security card.” Also, Al-Hussaini revealed that Zakat House donated other types of aid to illegal residents during 2011 that included various foodstuffs, furniture, school supplies, clothes, electric necessities such as refrigerators, washing machines, cooking stoves, and air conditioners.
In addition, he explained that Zakat House took it upon itself, since it was founded in 1982, to contribute, support and aid those of illegal residency status in Kuwait, noting that this contribution stems from the Zakat House’s main goal to carry out alms, boost social solidarity, and strengthen the ties of brotherhood, love, and compassion among people in the country.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Executive Committee for Addressing the Status of Illegal Residents Saleh Al-Fedhala discussed on Sunday with a visiting delegation from the British Interior Ministry ways to bolster cooperation between both sides.
The British delegates asked for assistance with regard to determining the identity of those who enter the UK claiming to be illegal residents (Bedouns) from Kuwait, Al-Fedhala said in a statement to KUNA after the meeting.
The chairman added that the number of such cases has witnessed an increase in recent months, noting that around 450 people entered Britain and fit this criteria in the past two years.
Al-Fedhala said that the British delegation explained that once the nationality of these illegal residents is determined they would be formally contacting their respective countries, amid joint agreements approved with these countries.
Furthermore, the British delegation expressed hope the Kuwaiti side would sign the agreement, the Kuwaiti official noted.
Al-Fedhala explained further that his committee is ready to assist British authorities and to provide them with the necessary information they need, noting that the signing of such an agreement is the task of the foreign or interior ministry, in charge of such matters.