The Churches have a role to play in dealing with refugees in the country

At a recent meeting of a “Working Discussion on Refugee Issues in Malaysia,” held on 28th October at University Malaya, it was maintained that faith-based organizations have an important role to play in assisting the UNHCR to develop comprehensive policy recommendations for the government on how to address the issues of dealing with refugees in the country.

In sharing of the Refugee situation in Malaysia, the participants of the meeting were provided with the following details:

“As of the end of September 2009, there are some 63,600 refugees and asylum-seekers registered with UNHCR in Malaysia. 58,000 are from Myanmar, comprising 27,700 Chins, 15,900 Rohingyas, 3,800 Myanmar Muslims, 2,300 Kachins and the remaining are other ethnic minorities from Myanmar.

There are some 5,600 refugees and asylum-seekers from other countries, including some 2,700 Sri Lankans, 760 Somalis, 530 Iragis and 530 Afghans.

51% refugees and asylum-seekers are men, while 49% are women. There are some 14,600 children below the age of 18.

There are also a large number of persons of concerns to UNHCR who remain unregistered.”

Although Malaysia is not a State Party to the 1951 Convention and its Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, the Malaysian Government continues to cooperate with UNHCR in addressing refugee issues on humanitarian grounds.

Currently, there are many CCM churches that engage in migrant ministry in one form or another. They have come to understand and emphatisize with the plight of migrant and refugee communities. They are well acquainted with the spiritual and social needs of such people.

The UNHCR is pleased to cooperate with the churches and other NGOs in providing assistance for refugees in a variety of areas including healthcare, education, financial support for vulnerable individuals, shelter, counselling and other welfare needs.

At the meeting, co-sponsored by the Centre for Public Policy Studies (CPPS), a call must be made to churches and NGO’s to do what they can, to assist in dealing with the plight of migrants and refugees within our borders.

The CCM is committed to assisting such groups on the basis of human-rights.

Churches that engage in migrant ministries, are called to inform the UNHCR office (Tel:03-2141322) should they come across undocumented refugees.

Those churches that wish to make donations in cash or kind towards refugee assistance can contact the CCM office.

If there are plans to organize awareness-building sessions in the congregations, contact CCM. It would be possible to get UNHCR staff to speak in the churches.