Ahmed Al-Jubair
THE Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has given $25 billion in aid and donations to many Islamic, Arab and developing countries, totaling 80 countries, over the past few years, according to reputed economic reports issued by well-known global organizations. This amount accounts for 1.9 percent of the Kingdom’s Gross Domestic Product and puts the Kingdom among the top donor countries in the world.
Generous donations given by the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to these countries reflect the real meaning of giving, and aid helps countries build and develop their economies. Donations are different from international loans that come with high interest rates and lead to the accumulation of debts. Such loans also make countries suffer financially and subject them to programs to correct the situation.
Saudi donations given as aid do not come with any interest nor do they result in debts. They are humanitarian aid that finances development projects and helps the beneficiary country protect and maintain a strong infrastructure, increase productive capacity, reduce inflation rates, prevent price hikes, create job opportunities and increase economic growth rates.
The beneficiary countries use Saudi aid to develop their security establishments, rebuild schools, universities, hospitals, health centers, build Islamic complexes, mosques, Holy Qur’an schools, support productive family projects and construct roads and dams and further economic sustainability.
Unfortunately, corrupt officials in some of these countries abuse their power to use part of this aid for their own benefit. Several news reports have shown that some officials have helped themselves to these funds even though their countries had been hit by catastrophes and required the aid to help the poor and needy. Many times, the relief materials the Kingdom has sent for victims of floods, earthquakes and wars have ended up being stolen by officials. The poor and needy get nothing.
A Saudi aid fund should be set up to supervise together with Saudi civil institutions the delivery of Saudi donations to the needy and poor in conflict-stricken countries. The fund should ensure that the donations are used to develop the economy and enhance economic growth in the affected country. The entire process should be monitored from the moment donations and aid materials are packed in airplanes to the moment they are handed to those who need them.
Such a fund is important because some of the projects that have been implemented in the countries that received donations from the Kingdom are simple ones and do not reflect the amount of aid given to such countries. Perhaps the best way is to let Saudi contracting companies implement infrastructure projects in these countries. Also, the construction materials and supplies should be bought from Saudi markets as a way to enhance the national economy and to create job opportunities for our young men and women
