Khartoum state home to 56,737 orphans: governor

January 13, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The state of Khartoum has conducted a comprehensive survey of orphans and final figures showed that there are 56,737 of them and that half are sponsored by the state, NGO’s and philanthropists.

The governor of Khartoum Abdul-Rahman al-Khidir directed his government to prepare a comprehensive strategy to ensure that all orphans in the state are fostered.

Speaking at the celebration of national orphans day on Monday, al-Khidir instructed competent authorities to establish a program to prevent conflicts in fostering and consolidate records.

He urged NGO’s to go after non-government financial resources and use them for the benefit of society .

Al-Khidir noted that the main task of the Ministry of Social Development, which was recently restructured, is to resolve issues related to homeless orphans, beggars and children of unknown parentage.

He noted that the restructuring was meant to transform executive councils to coordination councils in order to reduce administrative spending and shift financial support directly to needy segments of the society.

(ST)