Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Dr. Sarah Al-Abdulkarim, member of the council of the Human Rights Commission (HRC), said that there are more than 12,000 Saudi families, which are currently sponsoring children born to unknown parents.

She emphasized that Saudi Arabia pays great attention to the wellbeing of a child with allocations for social, economic and treatment programs from the state budget to ensure all round development of the child.

Attending the 120 program of Al-Ekhbaria channel, Dr. Sarah said that the relationship between the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) with the child does not end with the family’s sponsoring of him.

“The relationship is extended through periodic visits by specialists, to follow up on the child in his new family setting so as to ensure the child’s adaptation to the new environment and psychological stability,” she said.

She noted that the number of visits is determined according to the situation of each child, perhaps monthly, or a period with less than or more than a month.

It is noteworthy that HRC recently announced that a child, who is born in the Kingdom to unknown parents, would be granted Saudi nationality in accordance with the Kingdom’s regulations.

The state will provide integrated healthcare for the child and ensure protection from all kinds of abuse.