2009-11-22 19:48:57
WAM Abu Dhabi, Nov 22nd, 2009 (WAM)--The UAE holds an advanced position among donor countries and those supporting the developing countries and people affected by natural and other disasters, e.g. earthquakes, volcanoes and wars.

The UAE has contributed significantly to mitigate miseries of the people affected from disasters and humanitarian crises worldwide.

The UAE has made qualitative achievements in the field of combating human trafficking in 2008 through doubling the inspections of trafficking cases compared to the year 2007.

The annual report issued by UAE National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking (NCCHT) has highlighted the state's efforts and commitment in combating this serious crime, the progress made and its future plans to combat human trafficking.

The report indicates that 20 human trafficking cases were inspected and handled in 2008 compared to 10 cases in 2007, noting that there is a 100 per cent increase in the reported cases compared to the previous report.

The report shows that anti-trafficking is gradual and that the country is keen to continue intensifying efforts to combat this dangerous phenomenon.

The report indicated that the number of and severe penalties were slapped by the courts in the UAE increased significantly. Five cases have been taken court and two of them were life imprisonment.

Dr. Mohammed Anwar Gargash, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, the head of NCCHT, said that the UAE is always keen to make strict and firm decisions towards any attempts to exploit humanity, indicating that the issue of human trafficking combat, is being dealt with in a very strict way in cooperation with the international partners- a basic axis in regard to the country's strategy on human trafficking combat.

Gargash added, "The UAE is combating human trafficking phenomenon and will maintain its position among countries of the region and the world in this field. We are completely aware of the danger of this crime and its effects on the community as well as other countries combating this kind of crimes." The report documents the steps taken by the UAE to combat human trafficking, including establishing a department specialised in human rights in the Ministry of Interior, which aims to enhance workers' status in the country, organise introductory workshops on how to implement rules related to human rights in cooperation with global foundations, besides spreading of information related to this issue through an interactive web site and ratification of UN protocol against human trafficking.

The report pointed out that a media campaign will be launched soon to spread awareness about the dangers of human trafficking, specifically in the country's airports and embassies affiliated to it.

The UAE Foreign Aid Coordination Office (FACO) was set up by the UAE government to support and coordinate UAE-based donor organisations that provide assistance for humanitarian activities and emergency relief worldwide. To this end, FACO documents foreign aid raises the UAE profile and helps shape international humanitarian agenda, conducts analysis and research on the sector, develop and recommend policies, builds individual and organisational capacities to minimize redundancy, improve quality and maximise the impact of the UAE's international development and humanitarian aid programmes.

Red Crescent Authority provided AED three billion for humanitarian issues Thanks to the good efforts of Emirates, the Red Crescent Authority (RCA) was the first to meet the call for help and reach to the scene when a disaster happens anywhere in the world in addition to providing assistance to all needy inside and outside the country.

The value of assistance provided during the past years reached about AED 3 billion, while the value of its assistance to the victims and the needy in from early 2009 until October, reached nearly AED 450 million.

The RCA's humanitarian programmes for those affected in different regions are characterised in terms of diversity and quality, as well as early access to the targets. It has followed a unique approach in this regard based on the delivery of aid and relief to the beneficiaries without distinction of gender, race or religion and made the need the sole criterion for assistance.

The RCA's programmes in the country include a number of critical areas, such as, humanitarian and medical assistance, social guarantees, students' sponsorship, prisoners welfare, rehabilitation of the disabled, besides support programmes for foundations, local projects, charity campaigns that target supporting vulnerable and needy families living in remote districts, whereas the authority tries to reach them in their respective regions to provide them basic necessities, in addition to seasonal projects that include breakfasting, Zakat , Eid Al Adha sacrifices and clothes and the conduct of pilgrims to the Holy Mosque.

Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Charitable Foundation The Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Charity Foundation has expanded its charitable and humanitarian activities to include most of the sectors inside the country and reached the poorest people affected from disasters in more than 35 countries.

Projects implemented by the foundation have also expanded to include health, educational and aid programs in and out the country. The foundation's activities extend to different areas of the country and more than 35 Arab and Islamic countries.

The Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation seeks to remain unique in the field of humanitarian and charitable works to enhance peoples' living conditions and implement quality management system.

The charitable and humanitarian foundation approved a new 10-year plan to develop its projects and programmes and upgrading them to the highest international standards. The plan is divided into two phases: the first starts from 2008 and lasts until 2012, and the second is from 2013 until 2017.

The foundation has strengthen its existence on the map of humanitarian work in the world and signed 35 agreements and memorandums of understanding with governments and international organisations, e.g. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).

Abroad the year 2009 witnessed the inauguration of a number of projects in Asia, Africa and Europe, some were health, educational and agricultural projects and others were specified in motherhood and childcare, which cost more than $ 50 million.

The year 2009 also witnessed the completion of a number of water wells digging projects in Africa and Asia, which comes in the framework of the foundation's strategy to achieve sustainable development in Africa by digging a number of wells in nine African countries with the expenses value of $ 17 million.

ECSSR, which was established in 1994, is considered a landmark in the development process of scientific research in the country and now assumes a privileged position between cultural institutions not only in the country, but also regionally and internationally. The centre is chaired by HH Gen. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

The centre, since its establishment, was keen on achieving a number of goals, most importantly, supporting decision making, doing researches and scientific studies about strategic issues, politics, economy and social issues related to the UAE, the Arabian Gulf region in specific, and the Arab world in general, besides conducting polls, field surveys and follow up scientific developments and study its reflections on the country and the region, adopting programmes that support developing nationals in addition to putting a forward-looking vision for the future relying on a systematic basis in the framework of solid scientific research.

The centre was also keen on becoming an intellectual creative tribune that contributes, through researches and scientific studies, in supporting comprehensive development in the UAE. The centre focuses mainly on researches and studies about political, economical and social issues related to the UAE and the Gulf region in specific and the Arab world in general. The centre analyses reality and presents future scenarios based on solid academic and strategic references.

The centre issues a number of publications in various fields, whereas, since its establishment in 1994 until late 2009, it issued around 680 different publications included five genuine and translated books.

As for journals and press analytical publications, the centre issued many of them, whereas it issued around 4250 publications of "Akhbar As'saa" editorial which follows up developments in and out the country around the clock. The centre also issued around 4000 private publications named "Al Alam Alyum" besides issuing 40 reports about UAE press monthly.

Since its establishment, the centre accomplished around 2700 studies that discussed, explained and analyzed various issues in the fields of politics, economy, strategies and informatics.

The Zayed Higher Foundation for Humanitarian Care, Special Needs people, and Minors Affairs, made a lot of achievements since its establishment in 2004 in the field of humanitarian care. It has made some steady steps as it delivered care services and rehabilitation of special needs all over the emirate, and inaugurated new centers for care and rehabilitation.

The foundation provides treatment services for cases that need treatment in accordance with a programme specified for each individual's case. It also provides psychological and social counseling.

Sarah WAM/MN