The first shelter in Egypt for victims of human trafficking was recently opened by Social Solidarity Minister Niveen al-Qabbag. In a word she gave during a press conference to announce the opening, Ms Qabbag said that Egypt was one of the most successful countries where combating illegal migration was concerned.
The minister highlighted the many laws and social protection programmes prioritised by the political leadership to help the most underprivileged strata of society and to protect citizens from becoming victims to human traffickers.
Present in the conference were Head of the National Coordinating Committee on Combating and Preventing Illegal Migration and Trafficking in Persons (NCCPIM&TIP) Naela Gabr; Secretary-General of the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood (NCCM) Sahar El Sonbaty; and Danish Ambassador in Cairo Svend Olling. Also attending were Head of International Organisation for Migration (IOM) mission in Egypt Laurent de Bock, and Secretary General of the Egyptian Red Crescent Society in Qalyubia Ahmed Mohammed Fathy.
This shelter is the first of its kind to be opened in Egypt to counter this crime which takes various forms and methods, the Minister said. It mainly targets social categories suffering from poverty and unemployment, she explained, underlining the fact that it crosses national and regional borders.
Despite efforts in this regard, including laws and international agreements, countering trafficking remains as hard as ever, Ms Qabbag said.
Watani International
10 November 2020