12,000 Saudi families sponsor children of unknown parentage
Authorities follow up on the child in the new family through regular visits
Cairo: Over 12,000 Saudi families are sponsoring children of unknown parents, according to the kingdom’s Human Rights Commission (HRC). 'The link between the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development with the child does not end when the family sponsors him/her,' Dr Sara Abdul Karim, an HRC member, told Saudi television Al Ekhbariya. 'The relation is extended through regular visits by specialists to follow up on the child in his new family to ensure adaptability and psychological stability,' she added.
The number of visits is determined on a case-by-case basis, she pointed out. 'Visits can be made monthly or shorter or longer,' she said. 'The kingdom pays great attention to children by allocating social, economic and medical programmes funded from the state budget for them,' Dr Abdul Karim added.
Last week, the HRC said that that a child who is born to unknown parents in the kingdom is granted the Saudi nationality.