In May 2024, makchic held a fundraising event for the refugee community in Malaysia and learned about their experiences and lives here. There are many ways to help refugees in Malaysia, whether through donations or volunteering, through efforts big or small.
Hoping to find something that suits your desire to help? Look through the options below to find something that is meaningful and may move you most.
I Want to Support an Organisation doing Important Work
I Want to Volunteer My Time and Energy
I Want to Back Businesses Supporting Refugees
Chef Mona’s Palestinian Kitchen
I Want to Contribute to Learning Centres
I Want To Make a Difference With Specific Communities & Needs
Sudanese Refugees Representative Committee
Somali Women Association Malaysia
Sri Lankan Tamil Refugees Organization of Malaysia [STROM]
Bodbado Somali Refugee Community in Malaysia
Central Africa Refugee Community
IRAAS: Iranian Refugees and Asylum Seekers Society
West African Refugee Community – Malaysia
I Want to Support an Organisation doing Important Work
1. Asylum Access Malaysia
If you are more interested in supporting capacity-building activities with lawyers, universities and civil society organisations to develop a refugee legal aid network in Malaysia, this is your stop. Launched in 2014, Asylum Access Malaysia’s field operations include direct legal services for refugees and asylum seekers, ‘Know-Your-Options’ trainings, and engagement with UNHCR and other stakeholders in Malaysia’s refugee rights movement.
2. Fugee.org
Do you think education for children is a non-negotiable? Since 2009, Fugee has established itself as a leading educational non-profit that paves the way for refugee education and employability in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Their Fugee School, now in its 16th year, equips refugee children with technical, creative and life skills so they can cope with all kind of challenges. Connect with Fugee if you are interested in helping a refugee child learn, grow and become successful agents of change.
3. Geutanyoe Foundation
Interested in policy-driven work to protect and empower refugees? Geutanyoe Foundation is actively engaged in shaping and discussing key policy issues that impact refugees in Malaysia in Parliament. It is the secretariat of the All Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia on Refugee Policy, and the Aceh and Malaysian-based organisation also recently established the ‘Partnerships for Palestine’ initiative to assist and empower Palestinian communities in Malaysia.
Email: info@geutanyoefoundation.org
4. UNHCR Malaysia
Want to support an organisation with a global presence and longstanding experience? UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, works to ensure that everybody has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge, having fled violence, persecution, war or disaster at home.
I Want to Volunteer My Time and Energy
5. Refuge for the Refugees
Want to join an organisation that connects with and highlights refugees themselves? Refuge for the Refugees often focuses on fostering integration and providing comprehensive assistance to refugees, while showcasing their cultural uniqueness and beauty. Whether it is partnering with other organisations to provide healthcare and education to refugees, or showcasing their delightful cuisine, Refuge for the Refugees is proudly and passionately volunteer-driven.
6. Refugee Network Centre
Do you have a skill or expertise you could share with the refugee community? The Refugee Network Center is run by refugees for refugees, and all from different cultural and professional backgrounds. Established in Malaysia in 2019, the centre is always looking for new volunteers to join their team.
7. Doctors On Ground
Are you passionate about marginalised communities getting healthcare? Doctors on Ground (DnG) is committed to ensuring all groups have access to basic healthcare, and offers avenues for individuals to become NGO or medical volunteers in Malaysia. Dedicated to offering medical assistance and community support to refugees and marginalised groups, they are also looking for those in the medical field with expertise to volunteer their time.
I Want to Back Businesses Supporting Refugees
8. PichaEats
The dynamic PichaEats identifies refugee families that can cook, trains them to become professional chefs, and helps them in crucial ways to connect with consumers. From teaching them about menus and packaging, branding and marketing, and arranging logistics to deliver food, this catering company is doing so much more than simply providing food. Ordering meals from them means you are helping refugee families gain their livelihood in a meaningful and beautiful way.
9. Chef Mona’s Palestinian Kitchen
Mona Abdullah sought refuge in Malaysia from Gaza in 2012. She’s a wonderful cook and has been sharing her delicious cuisine with others. Team makchic has tried her Lamb Maqluba, and we highly recommend it!
10. Dignity Shop
If you’re looking for gifts and products that are meaningfully made, check out the offerings from Dignity for Children Foundation’s online shop. Dignity, a Kuala Lumpur-based NGO for refugees and the marginalised, not only provides underprivileged children with access to quality education, but also has numerous creative enterprises that transform the lives of the vulnerable and marginalised, such as the brilliant ‘sew X dignity‘.
I Want to Contribute to Learning Centres
11. Al-Ikhlas Hope Society (AHS)
If you want to get involved directly in schools or learning centres, there is Al-Ikhlas School, a busy kindergarten and primary level UNHCR-registered learning centre. Run by Al-Ikhlas Hope Society, the school is also used as a community centre for refugee families. AHS also extends assistance and aid to other refugee communities and other marginalised groups in need, through advice and fundraising for their needs.
I Want To Make a Difference With Specific Communities & Needs
Here are some other organisations you may wish to focus on – all would welcome invaluable support:
- Refugee Emergency Fund (REF)
An important refugee-led organisation that crowdfunds for emergency cases faced by forcibly displaced people in Malaysia.
The only professional refugee-led theatre troupe in Malaysia. Follow them on Instagram for updates on upcoming shows or contact Farzana at 011-2859 7948.
- Sudanese Refugees Representative Committee
Contact srcc.com.my@gmail.com or Yahia Adam at 016-679 8500 / 011-2124 7713.
Contact Nacima Mohamud at 018-3102 6991.
Contact Neerajan, STROM President at 016-747 2672 or via email at neerajan.strom@gmail.com.
Contact badbadosomalirefugee@gmail.com or Osman at 018-210 5727.
- Central Africa Refugee Community
Contact Guylaine at 011-5159 8376.
Contact yrum2020@gmail.com or Ammar at 011-6134 6277.
- IRAAS: Iranian Refugees and Asylum Seekers Society
Contact iraassociety@gmail.com or Mohammad at 018-380 0947/ 017-633 4592.
- West African Refugee Community – Malaysia
Contact westafricanrefugee@gmail.com or Emmanuel at 011-2381 4881.
- Ahmadiyya Refugee Community
Contact Hameed at 017-251 6971.
This list is not exhaustive and is correct at the time of publication. Please email hello@makchic.com if you know of any others that should be added.
