Minister of 'Social Affairs': New Law on Charitable and Humanitarian Work Establishes a New Phase of Governance and Transparency

Al-Huwaila: The law strengthens oversight and limits the exploitation of charitable work for money laundering and terrorist financing

The Minister of Social Affairs, Labor, and Social Development, Dr. Amthal Hadi Al-Huwaila, affirmed on Sunday that Legislative Decree-Law No. (87) of 2026, issuing the Law Regulating Charitable and Humanitarian Work, represents a new stage in the development and regulation of charitable and humanitarian activities in Kuwait, thereby enhancing governance and transparency.

Minister Al-Huwaila told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on the occasion of the law’s issuance that the legislation established a comprehensive legal and institutional framework to regulate charitable and humanitarian work, strengthen oversight and compliance, and mitigate the risks of its exploitation for illicit purposes, particularly money laundering and terrorist financing.

She clarified that the law provides for the establishment of the National Center for Charitable and Humanitarian Work, which will be responsible for regulating and overseeing various aspects of charitable and humanitarian activities in the country, formulating necessary policies, strategies, and controls to develop them, and enhancing coordination with relevant entities.

She added that the law established the Kuwait Fund for Humanitarian Work to support and develop charitable and humanitarian activities, qualify its workforce, and conduct related studies and research.

She noted that the law regulated fundraising campaigns regarding licensing, collection methods, bank accounts, spending controls, and financial disclosure, ensuring that donations are directed to their designated purposes. It also regulated electronic and cash fundraising in accordance with prescribed regulations.

Al-Huwaila stated that the law placed special emphasis on protecting the data and privacy of donors and beneficiaries, prohibiting the filming or publication of images and recordings of beneficiaries for fundraising or promotional purposes, except in accordance with prescribed regulations, thereby preserving their dignity.

She pointed out that the law regulated the establishment and management of charitable and humanitarian associations and endowments, their financial resources, and oversight thereof. It mandated them to enhance transparency and integrity, conduct financial transactions through official channels, and prohibited engaging in political or sectarian activities, dealing with illicit entities, or accepting anonymous donations.

She highlighted that the law strengthened the oversight and accountability system by granting certain employees of the Center the status of judicial police authority and establishing disciplinary councils, in addition to entrusting the Public Prosecution with investigating, prosecuting, and adjudicating the crimes stipulated therein.

She informed that the executive regulations of the law will be issued within six months of its publication. Existing charitable and humanitarian associations and endowments will be required to regularize their status within the periods specified by law. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Social Affairs will exercise the Center’s competencies until its formation is completed and the decisions governing its work are issued.

She stressed that the law, comprising 96 articles distributed across seven chapters, establishes a modern system for charitable and humanitarian work that protects donors’ funds, safeguards the dignity and privacy of beneficiaries, enhances public trust, and preserves the reputation of Kuwaiti charitable work and Kuwait’s standing as a humanitarian state, both domestically and internationally.