KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Ministry of Social Affairs announced Thursday that the third national campaign to settle the debts of insolvent Kuwaiti citizens (“gharameen”) has so far raised over KD 15 million, exceeding the first two campaigns. The funds will be used to pay off the debts of more than 9,119 registered cases currently under review by specialized committees.
“This reflects strong public engagement and a spirit of social solidarity,” said the ministry in a statement. “The campaign is not just a charitable effort but a reflection of Kuwait’s humanitarian values and its commitment to supporting struggling citizens with dignity and justice.”
The campaign, launched in March following directives from Kuwait’s political leadership to strengthen social solidarity and support financially distressed citizens, is carried out through six dedicated legal and technical committees. These committees include representatives from the Ministries of Social Affairs, Interior, Justice, and Islamic Affairs, along with the Zakat House and the General Secretariat of Awqaf. “Organizers have emphasized the importance of transparency and have made the campaign more accessible by responding to inquiries through the Sahel app,” said the ministry.
According to the ministry, the KD 15 million collected will be handed over to the General Department of Enforcement at the Ministry of Justice. The department will then settle eligible debts according to established criteria designed to ensure transparency, fairness, and the humanitarian objectives of the campaign. The committees began reviewing cases about a month ago, working under a strict protocol that ensures each case is examined individually to confirm eligibility, prevent duplication, and avoid exploitation. Priority is given to indebted Kuwaiti citizens who are currently detained in correctional facilities or have active enforcement files. Those who benefited from previous campaigns in 2023 and 2024 are excluded from this round to broaden the campaign’s reach and assist the most in-need individuals.
In a statement published in March, the ministry emphasized that registration for the campaign is conducted exclusively through the Central Aid Platform, where applicants must upload required documents in PDF format. Walk-in applications at the ministry or partner charitable organizations are not accepted to uphold fairness and a unified digital process. The maximum debt relief amount is capped at KD 20,000 per beneficiary to maximize the number of people who can benefit. Debts arising from illegal transactions, telecom company bills, or informal lending sources are excluded, as are individuals who received support in the two previous campaigns. — Agencies
