This comes under the instructions of President H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and General H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Sheikh Hamdan expressed his thanks to Lt. General H.H. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Interior for his support and initiatives for the provision of shelters and ministry’s cooperation through organising workshops and exhibitions allocating places for shelters and its active role in the protection of victims of human trafficking.

He also pointed out efforts done by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union of UAE and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation to combat violence against women, patronising shelters and enacting necessary legislation, in addition to donating a piece of land for the construction and building of the shelter and a centre affiliated to it.

This came during Sheikh Hamdan’s meeting with Chairperson, members of the Board of Directors and staff in the shelters of human trafficking victims.

On her part, Sanaa Darwish Al Kitbi, Advisor of Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Shelters said that shelters for women and children victims of human trafficking and sexual abuse have been established in the UAE with decree by Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed to help victims overcome their miseries safely and in honourable way.

She pointed out that the shelter for women and children victims of human trafficking in Abu Dhabi was opened in February 26th, 2008 and it is a non-profit entity working under the UAE RCA.

It should be mentioned that the number of victims that have been received by the shelter has reached 94 of various nationalities and they have stayed in the shelter during one month to six months period.

Two other shelters were opened in Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah with a decree by Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed and they are working in coordination with the shelters in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

At the conclusion of the meeting Sheikh Hamdan was presented a souvenir. ƒ?? Emirates News Agency