NANNING, Feb. 25 (Xinhuanet) -- A rescue center for kidnapped women and children has been opened in South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to provide refuge for the victims of human trafficking.

    The center, located in Ningming County on the Sino-Vietnamese border, is sponsored by the United Nations International Children's Fund (UNICEF) to combat and prevent cross-border kidnapping and trafficking of women and children.

    UNICEF's Beijing office has donated medical appliances, washingmachines, personal computers and quilts that are valued at more than 100,000 yuan (12,500 U.S. dollars), said an official with the local women's federation.

    The center, the first of its kind in Guangxi, will provide foodand shelter to victims of domestic violence and offer legal aid, psychological counseling and medical help as well.

    Cross-border trafficking of women and children has been frequently reported in Ningming County in recent years and officials with the local women's federation say the new organization will protect the legitimate rights of the victims.

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