(MENAFN- Arab News) RIYADH: The Ministry of Social Affairs began coordinating with security authorities to carry out an intensive and organized campaign to fight begging with the approaching month of Ramadan.
An official at the ministry revealed details of the plan involving the ministry and security authorities in addition to campaigns to educate people about fighting this phenomenon.
Khaled Al-Thubaiti director of information and public relations at the ministry said anti-begging offices in the Kingdom prepared in coordination with other security authorities to fight this phenomenon and arrest beggars in public areas and streets.
After arresting beggars Saudis are referred to social welfare offices which are supervised by the ministry to study their financial and social situation and offer financial aid. If they are young they are referred to welfare homes of the ministry which are supported by charities.
Expatriate beggars are referred to security authorities such as the Passport Department and deported to their home countries.
Anti-begging operations coincide with Ramadan and campaigns are conducted near traffic lights mosques public gardens markets and ATM machines.
The number of beggars is expected to decrease since the latest correction campaigns led to the arrest of large numbers of residency and labor law violators and the deportation of a large number of people who came to perform Haj and Umrah and overstayed their visas.