Dubai: Nearly 11,700 people unable to complete their travel or return to their home countries received support from a specialised centre operated by the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai during the first half of 2026.

The figures were disclosed during a media tour of GDRFA Dubai’s Center for Harbouring in Al Awir, where officials outlined the facility’s operations and the services provided to people facing exceptional circumstances.

The centre offers temporary accommodation and coordinates healthcare, documentation and travel arrangements until departure procedures are completed. Specialised teams assess each case and work with government authorities, diplomatic missions and travel companies to resolve outstanding requirements.

The media tour was attended by Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of GDRFA Dubai; Major General Harib Mohammed Al Shamsi, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police for Criminal Affairs; Major General Khalaf Ahmed Al Ghaith, Assistant Director General of the Entry Permits and Residency Sector at GDRFA Dubai; and Major General Dr Ali bin Ajif Al Zaabi, Assistant Director General for Violators and Foreigners Follow-up.

Media representatives were shown the centre’s facilities and operating procedures, including the support provided to individuals who cannot immediately return to their countries because of financial, medical, administrative or other difficulties.

The centre provides nine core services, covering healthcare, social and humanitarian support, personal care, accommodation, catering and security. It also offers awareness and recreational programmes and safeguards residents’ personal belongings and valuables.

Fully equipped medical clinics conduct initial examinations and provide specialist consultations when required.

The centre also coordinates with embassies, consulates and relevant authorities to obtain travel documents and departure permits. Travel companies assist with airline tickets, transportation and arrangements for departure from the UAE.

According to GDRFA Dubai, 11,696 people benefited from the centre’s services between January and June 2026.

During the same period, the centre issued 11,696 airline tickets and coordinated with consulates to obtain 4,568 travel documents. Medical teams conducted 11,696 initial examinations and provided 1,906 specialist consultations.

The centre also served 322,232 meals to residents during the six-month period.

Officials highlighted the case of an African woman who entered the UAE on a tourist visa while looking for employment but was unable to find a job. She later faced difficulties securing accommodation for herself and her daughter, who needed medical care.

The centre provided the mother and daughter with accommodation, healthcare, medical treatment and other essential services. Officials followed their case until the documentation and arrangements required for their departure from the UAE were completed.

Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai said the centre reflected the UAE’s principles of tolerance, solidarity and respect for human dignity.

“The Center for Harbouring represents a distinguished model that reflects the UAE’s values of tolerance, solidarity and respect for human dignity,” he said.

“It demonstrates that the security, safety and stability enjoyed by Dubai extend not only to its citizens and residents, but also to everyone who finds themselves in exceptional circumstances that prevent them from returning to their home countries.”

He said government institutions had a responsibility to support people facing difficult circumstances and ensure that services protected their welfare and dignity.

Major General Dr Ali bin Ajif Al Zaabi, Assistant Director General of the Violators and Foreigners Follow-up Sector at GDRFA Dubai, said specialised teams handled each case from the individual’s arrival at the centre until their departure from the country.

“The centre was designed to bring together all essential services under one roof, streamlining procedures and accelerating their completion — from healthcare and essential living services to legal procedures and coordination with consulates to issue travel documents,” he said.

He added that the process also included flight bookings and the issuance of boarding passes from within the centre.

GDRFA Dubai said the integrated approach was intended to reduce delays in departure procedures while ensuring that stranded individuals received accommodation, medical attention and administrative support during their stay.