LABUAN, March 9 (Bernama) -- Umno Labuan is set to launch its long-tradition of 'Ziarah Kasih Ramadan,' an annual corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, as the Ramadan month approaches. 

The initiative, which began in 2008, will target at least 300 hard-core poor families on the duty-free island.

Umno Labuan chief Datuk Rafi Alli Hassan said the continuation of the Ramadan programme followed a recent decision by the Labuan Umno division. 

“Umno is committed to its Ramadan programme for the underprivileged families on this island…we decided to continue the Ramadan annual programme because there are still hard-core poor families on this island," said Rafi. 

"The targeted number remains the same as last year, with 10 families per Umno branch, totaling 300 families across our 30 branches," he said after the Back-to-School Programme at Desa Tunas Hijau here today.

Rafi said any additional recipients during the programme would be determined based on necessity. 

“The screening of eligible recipients will be conducted by Umno branch committees in collaboration with village heads.

"The month-long programme will be coordinated by Umno branch heads and assisted by their respective committee members," Rafi added.

He said the 'Ziarah Kasih Ramadan' initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden on hard-core poor families. 

“The contributions will be in the form of food baskets and cash…we will start visiting the listed hard-core poor families from the first week of Ramadan until the third week," he said.

-- BERNAMA