EWAA?s Board also expressed its appreciation for the strong support extended to the shelters by H.H Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Supreme Chairperson of the Family Development Foundation, Chairperson of UAE Women’s Federation and honorary Chairperson of the Red Crescent. The Board of Directors highly appreciates the close attention paid by H.H Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the Red Crescent, to the sheltering centres in order to remain current on its role in providing care and protection for victims.

At its meeting yesterday, EWAA?s Boards of Directors, under the chairmanship of Sana?a Darwish Al Ketbi, adviser to H.H Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the Humanitarian Affairs, EWAA Chairman, confirmed that the leadership initiatives support the country?s efforts and strengthens its strategy in its fight against human trafficking and in limiting the exacerbation of suffering of the victims of this type of crime which is entering the country.

The Board of Directors at EWAA discussed at its meeting many themes that promote the role of the centres and which help achieve its objectives in protecting the dignity and humanity of the victims. The Board reviewed areas of coordination and strengthening partnerships with a number of entities and institutions in the country, including the Abu Dhabi Health Authority, Public Prosecution and the Abu Dhabi Police, and the possibility of signing memoranda of understanding with them to determine the frameworks and mechanisms of cooperation.

The meeting was attended by members of the Board; Sarah Ibrahim Shuhail, the Centre’s Managing Director; Abdel-Rahman Al Tunaiji; Dr. Mariam Al Mazrouei, Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, Aisha Nasser Saeed; Ibrahim al-Tamimi; Suad Al Manaei; and Dr Amal Mahmoud Abdel-Al, member and registrar. The Board reviewed the memorandum of association, the job description, the proposed organisational structure, the financial reports, the mechanisms for accommodating victims within the centres, and the procedures followed in this regard.

Is worth mentioning that H.H Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan issued a resolution to establish EWAA Centres for women and children who are victims of the crime of human trafficking to provide a safe shelter, health and psychological care, and social support for those victims within the country.

According to the resolution, EWAA Centres for women and children is to be established and have legal identity, as well as financial and administrative independence. Its Board of Directors is under the direct supervision of His Highness the President of the Red Crescent, under which the centres will operate. The resolution set out the specialty areas of the Board of Directors of EWAA Centres, the powers of the higher authorities, as well as the administrative and executive authorities.

H.H Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak donated a plot of land in Abu Dhabi for the construction of EWAA Centres. Her Highness also pledged to bear the costs of constructing and equipping the shelter to be a safe haven for women and children who are victims of human trafficking. Additionally, under the directives of H.H General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, the government of Abu Dhabi provided financial support worth Dhs8million to operate the shelter and provide the necessary care for the victims and residents.

Sarah Shuhail, Managing Director and Member of the Board of Directors of EWAA Centres stressed that the centres aim to achieve a humanitarian mission to protect women and children who are victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation, to ensure respect for their humanity and dignity, and to alleviate their suffering.