Al-Hawila: Kuwaiti charitable work is an institutional system carrying a humanitarian message
- Saad Al-Otaibi: The Kuwaiti experience is a model based on institutional giving and serving humanity – Al-Kandari: A humanitarian message that goes beyond providing assistance to creating impact
Dr. Amthal Al-Huwaila, Minister of Social Affairs, Family, and Childhood, confirmed yesterday that charitable work in the State of Kuwait is a firmly rooted national heritage passed down through generations and an authentic approach within Kuwaiti society.
Speaking to KUNA on the occasion of International Charitable Day, which falls on September 5 every year, Minister Al-Huwaila stated that the attention and support charitable and humanitarian work receive from the wise political leadership reflect the established status of this approach in Kuwait’s policy and reinforce the continuity of its humanitarian mission locally and internationally.
She added that Kuwaiti charitable work has evolved from rooted community initiatives into an institutional system carrying a humanitarian message focused on supporting the needy and preserving human dignity wherever they are.
She clarified that the Ministry of Social Affairs has worked to develop the charitable system by updating regulatory frameworks and electronic systems. In this context, the draft law project regulating charitable and humanitarian work comes as a continuation of these efforts and to strengthen governance and institutional operations.
She pointed out that regulation and supervision contribute to protecting charitable work, enhancing trust in it, and ensuring that aid reaches its rightful recipients. She affirmed the Ministry’s continued commitment to developing cooperation with charitable associations and institutions and leveraging modern technologies to support the efficiency and sustainability of work.
She expressed her appreciation to all workers and volunteers who contributed to the continuity of charitable and humanitarian work, emphasizing that preserving this approach is a shared responsibility and a continuation of Kuwait’s humanitarian message under the support of the political leadership.
**Consolidating the Culture of Giving and Creating Human Impact**
Saad Al-Otaibi, President of the Union of Charitable Associations and Institutions, stated that International Charitable Day represents a global occasion to highlight the value of giving and the role of institutions and individuals in addressing humanitarian needs. He noted that Kuwait possesses a distinguished experience in charitable work that has made giving and solidarity an essential part of society’s culture.
Al-Otaibi explained that Kuwaiti charitable work has witnessed significant development over the past decades, transitioning from various community initiatives to organized institutional work involving associations, institutions, volunteer teams, and donors. Through this system, charitable entities reach the most needy categories and provide projects tailored to their specific needs.
He added that this development has imposed greater responsibilities on charitable institutions, foremost among them compliance with systems and regulations, strengthening governance and transparency, and improving project implementation mechanisms. He emphasized that maintaining community and donor trust requires continuous development of work tools and ensuring that every project has a clear objective and measurable impact.
He pointed out that Kuwaiti charitable associations and institutions operate in multiple fields both within and outside Kuwait, including aid, relief, education, health, water, and development. He explained that this diversity reflects the charitable sector’s ability to respond to various needs according to priorities and humanitarian circumstances.
Al-Otaibi concluded his statement by emphasizing that International Charitable Day is not merely an occasion to celebrate charitable work, but an opportunity to review and develop the experience, consolidate the culture of giving, and expand the circle of community participation, thereby making charity more organized, having a broader impact, and being closer to human needs.
Hamad Al-Ali, Secretary-General of the Al-Islah Social Association, stated that International Charitable Day represents an important occasion to remind people of the value of humanitarian work and its role in enhancing social cohesion. He affirmed that charity in Kuwaiti society is not a seasonal behavior, but a deeply rooted culture that has spanned generations and become part of the society’s identity and practices.
Al-Ali added that the Al-Islah Social Association operates based on a social mission focused on serving humanity and enhancing values of solidarity and cooperation. He clarified that social work is inseparable from charitable work, as both aim to build a more cohesive society capable of supporting its members and standing by those in need of assistance.
He noted that the development of charitable work in recent years has highlighted the importance of institutional and organizational work, making it necessary for charitable institutions to operate according to a clear vision, identify societal needs, and develop programs that respond to these needs, while paying attention to follow-up, evaluation, and impact measurement.
He emphasized that charitable work is not limited to material assistance; it includes education, awareness, volunteering, empowering individuals, supporting families, and initiatives that contribute to improving the quality of life. He pointed out that a society that encourages its members to give and volunteer creates a state of participation and shared responsibility.
Al-Ali drew attention to the importance of the role of youth and volunteers in the future of charitable work, explaining that volunteering not only serves the beneficiary but also builds the volunteer’s personality and provides them with experience in dealing with people and understanding societal needs. Therefore, investing in youth energies is an investment in the future of social work.
He affirmed that International Charitable Day is an occasion to renew commitment to the values of giving and serving humanity, calling for enhanced cooperation between charitable and social institutions and various entities to contribute to expanding the circle of good and transforming the spirit of giving into initiatives and projects that leave a real and sustainable impact on people’s lives.
For his part, Abdulaziz Al-Kandari, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Namaa Al-Khairiya at the Al-Islah Social Association, confirmed that this occasion represents an opportunity to evoke the humanitarian meanings underpinning charitable work, foremost among them solidarity, compassion, and a sense of responsibility toward humanity. He noted that charitable work is no longer limited to providing assistance when needed, but has become an integrated system seeking to address needs and create sustainable impact.
Al-Kandari explained that the Namaa Al-Khairiya experience is based on reaching individuals across their various needs through diverse projects including relief, education, water, healthcare, and development projects, alongside initiatives and projects implemented within Kuwait. He affirmed that the diversity of work areas responds to the differing needs and circumstances of beneficiaries.
He clarified that the donor is a key partner in creating impact, and the role of the charitable institution lies in converting the contributions of benefactors into organized projects that reach beneficiaries through clear mechanisms. He emphasized that the trust granted by donors to the institution is a responsibility requiring greater transparency, follow-up, and diligence in achieving the best possible impact.
