Kuwait’s Ministry of Justice has announced the successful conclusion of its 2026 Debtors’ Relief Campaign, which raised over KD 16.5 million (approximately $53 million) to assist individuals burdened by debt. Launched last Ramadan with the endorsement of Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the campaign attracted contributions from more than 138,000 donors and benefited 3,807 people, according to Minister of Justice Nasser Al-Sumait.
At a press conference held on November 1, Al-Sumait detailed that the funds enabled the full or partial settlement of debts connected to 5,645 court judgments. This led to the lifting of nearly 15,000 enforcement measures such as travel bans, arrest and summons orders, and seizures of bank accounts and vehicles. In some cases, individuals detained under civil detention orders were released following debt settlements.
The campaign targeted multiple categories of debts: personal debts and financial claims accounted for 56 percent, rental arrears made up 30 percent, and financial obligations arising from personal status cases represented 14 percent of the resolved judgments. Beneficiaries were predominantly male (81 percent), with women comprising 19 percent of those assisted. Notably, some beneficiaries were guarantors held liable for debts incurred by others and subjected to legal enforcement.
Al-Sumait emphasized the importance of careful eligibility screening to ensure that aid reached the most deserving individuals. The ministry applied strict criteria prioritizing older debt cases, women, those facing active enforcement measures, individuals with genuine financial insolvency, debts not exceeding KD 10,000, and those who had not benefited from previous campaigns. He also pointed out that a significant portion of the donations consisted of zakat funds, which necessitate adherence to Islamic distribution guidelines.
The campaign reportedly inspired several creditors to waive debts or accept reduced repayment amounts, enhancing the relief provided to beneficiaries. Al-Sumait praised these voluntary actions as examples of social responsibility that expanded the campaign's humanitarian impact.
Minister Al-Sumait also announced plans for a new, larger debt relief campaign to be launched during the upcoming month of Ramadan. Approved recently by the Prime Minister, this initiative aims to broaden assistance through more flexible eligibility requirements and additional facilitation measures. However, the ministry maintains that genuine indebtedness and demonstrated inability to repay remain the core criteria for aid.
The campaign’s success, Al-Sumait noted, underscores Kuwait’s longstanding tradition of solidarity and compassion, reflecting strong cooperation between government entities, charitable donors, and civil society. The minister complimented the media and Ministry of Justice employees for their roles in raising awareness, processing applications, and ensuring transparency throughout the relief efforts.
Looking ahead, the Ministry of Justice intends to continue evaluating proposals for legal reforms aimed at alleviating the judicial caseload and enhancing support for financially distressed individuals, with specialized committees assessing the feasibility of such amendments.