Kuwait’s third national donation drive to aid debtors begins March 14
The Ministry of Social Affairs has urged charitable organizations to join the campaign to help pay off debtors, with payment methods through a unified automated link or a dedicated link for each charity.
• Since the start of Ramadan, field inspection teams from the Ministry of Social Affairs have identified ten individuals and entities soliciting donations without prior approval, in violation of laws and regulations governing charitable work.
The Ministry of Social Affairs, through the Charitable Societies and Endowments Department, has urged registered charitable organizations to join the third national donation campaign, set to launch on March 14 during the holy month of Ramadan, to help pay off debtors’ dues, reports Al Jarida newspaper.
According to sources from the Ministry of Social Affairs, the ministry, in coordination with charitable societies and organizations, is finalizing the regulations and requirements for benefiting from the campaign. The payment method will be either through a unified automated link or a dedicated link for each participating charity.
The campaign aligns with the directives of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, to localize charitable work and direct its proceeds primarily within the country.
Additionally, the newspaper has learned that since the start of Ramadan, ministry field inspection teams have identified ten unidentified individuals and entities soliciting donations without prior approval, violating laws and regulations governing charitable work.
The necessary legal measures will be taken against them, and they will be referred to the Public Prosecution to ensure strict oversight of collected funds, limiting donations to legally recognized entities operating under state supervision.
Fraud and deception
Sources emphasized that this constitutes a serious violation of Article 1 of Law No. 59 of 1959, which regulates licensing for fundraising for public purposes.
The law explicitly prohibits individuals or groups from collecting donations by any means, even for charitable causes, without obtaining prior approval from the Ministry of Social Affairs at least one month in advance. The license must specify the duration, method, purpose, and entity responsible for the collection.
Furthermore, sources noted that Penal Code No. 16 of 1960 defines fraud as the use of deceptive methods to mislead people into believing falsehoods, concealing or distorting facts, misrepresenting projects, or unlawfully disposing of funds.
Sources stated that, based on this, the case has been referred to the Public Prosecution for appropriate action, emphasizing that this step aims to combat unauthorized individuals who interfere in charitable work and solicit donations illegally without prior government approval.
Discovery of 219 illegal kiosks
The sources explained that field inspection teams conducted 451 inspections last week, including 430 at mosques across the country and 21 at charitable organizations participating in the 22nd donation collection project, to ensure compliance with regulations. These inspections led to the discovery of 219 illegal kiosks collecting in-kind donations and worn-out clothes in violation of the law.
Coordination is underway with the municipality to remove these kiosks, particularly those of unknown origin, as they pose a threat to legitimate charitable work and open the door for fraudsters to collect in-kind and cash donations unlawfully, beyond the ministry’s oversight.
Removal of unlicensed donation collection units
The sources stressed the importance of implementing Cabinet Resolution No. 914 of 2001, which mandates charitable organizations to remove all unlicensed donation collection units (kiosks) from all areas. It also prohibits the collection of donations through makeshift “tables” in mosques, cooperative societies, and commercial markets.
Additionally, the resolution restricts clothing collection kiosks to the main headquarters of charitable societies and their branches, bans unauthorized “piggy banks” in cooperative societies and commercial stores, and limits in-kind donations strictly to clothing collections within approved locations.
Iftar ads violations
Field inspection teams also identified 23 restaurants illegally soliciting donations for Iftar banquets without prior ministry approval. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has been notified to take action.
Additionally, forty unauthorized advertisements by charitable organizations were flagged, leading to immediate removal orders. Authorities also confiscated a medium-sized piggy bank containing cash, and necessary action was taken.
The ministry reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy toward violations of Ramadan donation regulations, warning that legal action will be taken against offenders. It urged donors—both citizens and residents—to verify the legitimacy of collectors, avoid responding to unauthorized solicitations, and ensure their contributions go to officially recognized organizations in the country.
