Dubai: Out of its global commitment to fight human trafficking, the UAE extends a helping hand to neighbouring countries to combat the challenge, a top official said yesterday.

“The National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking will take the fight against human trafficking to a new level through the exchange of UAE’s know-how and expertise on trafficking victim shelter management with other countries,” said Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs and chairman of the committee.

The move came after a meeting of the committee reviewed the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children’s experience in training of a number of Afghan women on management of trafficking victim shelters.

Dr Gargash said the intiative supported the international partnership and cooperation in combating the global challenge.

The training covered the shelter’s support and protection to victims to ensure proper housing, counselling, medical, psychological and material assistance, keeping in mind the special needs of different victims.

Established in 2007, the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children is the first licensed non-profit shelter in the UAE for women and children victims of domestic violence, child abuse, and human trafficking.

The foundation offers victims immediate protection and support services in accordance with international human rights obligations, including a helpline, emergency shelter, and support services to women and children victims.

Dr Gargash said the regular meetings of the committee and its in-depth discussions reflected the high level of cooperation of national institutions and the increased awareness levels in dealing with human trafficking. Dr Gargash said the recognition of the UAE’s efforts in this area by global organisations showed the major role of the UAE in combating human trafficking and supporting regional and international initiatives based on world best practices.

The meeting reviewed the implementation of recommendations of the 29th meeting and discussed the invitation request from the Permanent Mission of the UAE in New York to participate in the workshop organised by the Government of Belarus.

The meeting also reviewed the report of the UAE Embassy in Vienna on the Third Ministerial Meeting against Human Trafficking, as well as the discussion of the UN report on drugs and crimes at the second regional meeting to combat human trafficking and smuggling of migrants. The meeting also reviewed the UAE initiative to donate $50,000 (Dh183,600) to the UN in support of human trafficking victims, especially women and children.

A number of other topics were discussed during the meeting such as the UN annual report development fund for human trafficking victims, as well as the activities of the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children.