|
The role of charities in Yemen’s development
Real estate news By YemenTimes Staff
Sep 27, 2007
Social Capital is a very new concept to Yemen, it stands alone as an isolated understanding of Yemen limited to several micro-developmental organizations, known also as charities. Although splendid in numbers, according to statistics by the Ministry of Social Affairs, little impact do the people of Yemen see as a result of over 3,000 registered charities, with an exception of a handful charities which have a contribution towards poverty reduction in the Country. Although poverty in Yemen has been reduced from 41.8 percent in 1998 to 35.5 percent in 2005, according to the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation. Ironically, the key issue is that 41.8 percent of the population in 1998 was 7.5 million people, while 35.5 percent of the population in 2005 was 7.7 million people, considering the annual population growth rate of 3.4 percent.
The Holy month of Ramadhan is an excellent occasion to study the role of charities in building social capital and reducing poverty, Most recently Al-Islah Charitable Society for Social Welfare has proclaimed that its activities directly affect half a million people. Since its establishment in 1990 in Hodieda governorate, which is the most impoverished governorate in the country, Al-Islah charity has grown to become the country’s largest charitable organization, with operations ranging from Orphan care and vocational training to reproductive health and humanitarian assistance. Secretary-General of Al-Islah charity AbdulMajid Farhan stated that the charity has distributed meats and foodstuff for over 120 thousand families all over the country during the last Eid occasion. He stated that they target the most impoverished families, orphans and students across the country for their assistance programs, which are run with highly levels of efficiency and proficiency.
During the on-going month of Ramadhan, Al-Islah charity is distributing foodstuff in Al-Hodieda and Sana’a governorates to over 60 thousand families, Farhan stated: “The foodstuff include sacks of wheat, flour, sugar, rice and quantities of cooking oil among other food stuff which will sustain these families at least throughout the whole month of Ramadhan, in addition to the Iftar meals which are provided to students, scholars, orphan and elderly homes among other locations.” The Other big and rival charity is the President’s Al-Saleh foundation, which was established less than two years ago and is funded by the president himself and the government, with initiatives such as the president’s instruction to the treasury to pay up the sum of 100 million Riyals for an orphans program to the charity, which is chaired by the president’s son.
Send tips or a Letter to the Editor to editor@updatere.com
|
