A popular online campaign was launched in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday calling for urgent action to rescue thousands of homeless Saudi families and provide them with suitable housing as swiftly as possible.

The campaign, launched under the slogan “Al-Joud Minna Wa Feena” (“Generosity From Us and Among Us”), urged citizens to donate funds via a dedicated charitable donations platform.

In response, users on the social media platform X voiced strong criticism, with several commentators holding the government of Mohammed bin Salman responsible for the presence of homelessness and poverty in one of the world’s wealthiest countries. According to comments posted on X, what further fuelled discontent was the fact that Saudi nationals number only around 18 million, according to the latest official statistics.

One citizen wrote: “As I watch oil revenues going into the pocket of Trump and his family, I grieve for our situation as citizens, starving and unable to find suitable housing.”

Another questioned the rationale behind sending funds abroad while local citizens remain in dire need of support.

Saudi public finances have experienced what critics describe as their most severe setback in modern history since Mohammed bin Salman rose to power. A significant portion of state funds has been spent on the war in Yemen, as well as on financing regional conflicts and disputes.

Large sums have also reportedly been directed towards loss-making ventures in NEOM and investments in foreign gaming companies.

Critics further allege that the greatest financial loss occurred when Mohammed bin Salman paid one trillion US dollars to Trump.