The recent support extended by the UAE leadership to fight human trafficking reinforces the country’s commitment and concerted efforts to counter the crime, His Excellency Dr. Anwar Gargash, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said on Sunday.

Last week, Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairperson of Arab Women Organization and the president of the General Federation of Women and honorary president of the UAE Red Crescent Society and Supreme Chairperson of the Family Development Foundation, contributed land to establish a shelter for victims of human trafficking; and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, contributed Dhs8m to cover the center’s expenses.

Praising the high-level support, Dr. Gargash, who is also the Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs and Head of the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, said: “The initiatives of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed reiterate the commitment of the leaders and prominent figures in the UAE to fight human trafficking and minimize its consequences on community members.”

He added: “The new shelter for victims will be committed to protecting, particularly, the women and children affected by human trafficking and introducing psychological rehabilitation programs and social and healthcare support services to reduce the negative effects on the victims while integrating them in the society efficiently.”

The National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking is implementing four main components of the UAE strategy to fight human trafficking including: developing legislations and laws related to human trafficking; enabling concerned parties to take pre-emptive measures; protecting victims from the social evil; and strengthening cooperation in the field on a global scale.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s initiative comes in line with his continuous support to local and international efforts for combating human trafficking. Sheikh Mohammed donated Dhs15m to the Vienna Forum held recently to coordinate international efforts to combat this crime.