Muscat – Ministry of Social Development (MoSD) recorded 27 human trafficking cases in 2024, all involving expatriates, and reiterated its commitment to supporting victims with social and psychological assistance.

At a media briefing on Wednesday, the ministry stated that victims are entitled to aid while residing in Oman, with some allowed to work in supervised environments. Efforts are also underway to update laws and regulations related to human trafficking.

MoSD also announced a new programme aimed at supporting the elderly in Muscat, Dhofar and North Batinah. The first phase of the programme will focus on enhancing home care services through three specialised teams, each equipped with two mobile units staffed by a physiotherapist, social worker, occupational specialist and nurse. “It will also ensure that all necessary medical equipment is provided free of charge,” said Hamoud bin Murdad al Shabibi, the ministry’s spokesperson.

Currently, 8,710 elderly individuals and their families receive social support, including 46 residents at the Social Welfare Home in Rustaq. The briefing also addressed the rise in begging, particularly during Ramadan and holidays, with a majority cases involving expatriates. Shabibi stated that Royal Oman Police is responsible for managing and apprehending offenders.

H E Dr Laila bint Ahmed al Najjar, Minister of Social Development, noted that many individuals engaged in begging do so professionally rather than out of genuine need.

The ministry further reported that child protection committees handled 2,973 cases of child abuse in 2024, with 72 children placed in family protection homes. Additionally, 1,390 calls were received on the psychological and family counselling hotline, and 2,786 individuals accessed direct counselling services.

In the social care sector, MoSD provided various forms of assistance, including cash, in-kind, temporary, emergency, special social support and aid for natural disasters. The total social assistance disbursed in 2024 amounted to RO11.986mn, benefiting 102,167 individuals.