Inside Dubai’s humanitarian hub helping stranded migrants find their way home

For many, Dubai is a city of opportunity. But for some, a dream of building a better future is cut short by unexpected hardship, leaving them unable to return home.

Whether they have lost their jobs, fallen victim to fraudulent recruitment agencies, misplaced their travel documents or found themselves in humanitarian circumstances beyond their control, thousands of people pass through one facility each year before beginning their journey home.

Hidden away in Al Awir, Dubai’s Center for Harboring quietly provides temporary shelter, healthcare and legal assistance to individuals whose departure from the UAE has been delayed, offering them dignity and support. At the same time, officials work to resolve their cases.

Far from the image many associate with immigration facilities, the center operates as an integrated humanitarian hub, bringing together medical care, accommodation, legal procedures and travel coordination under one roof.

The first stop is the medical clinic, where every individual undergoes an initial health examination. Those requiring further care are referred for specialist consultations before traveling.

Residents are then allowed to shower, receive clean clothing and access personal care services before moving into the residential section of the center.

Personal belongings, including passports, mobile phones, cash and valuables, are carefully documented and stored in secure lockers. Residents can request access to their phones whenever necessary, while landline telephones are available to help them stay in touch with family members and embassies.

Beyond meeting immediate needs, officials say the process is designed to restore a sense of stability during what is often one of the most difficult periods in a person’s life.

The Center for Harboring brings together nine integrated services aimed at meeting residents’ humanitarian and practical needs.

These include accommodation and catering, healthcare through fully equipped medical clinics, social and humanitarian care, personal care services, security, secure storage of personal belongings, awareness and recreational programs, and coordination with embassies, consulates and relevant government authorities.

Dedicated teams manage each case individually, working with diplomatic missions to obtain emergency travel documents, complete legal procedures and secure departure permits.

The center also coordinates with specialized companies to arrange airline tickets, transportation to the airport and, in many cases, boarding passes before residents leave the facility.

Officials said consolidating all services under one roof significantly reduces the time required to resolve cases while ensuring residents receive comprehensive care throughout their stay.

Speaking during the tour, Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of GDRFA Dubai, said the center reflects the humanitarian values embedded in the UAE’s approach to government services.

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