United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR Malaysia)
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR Malaysia)
About

UNHCR began its operations in Malaysia in 1975 when Vietnamese refugees began to arrive by boat in Malaysia and other countries in the region. From 1975 until 1996, UNHCR assisted the Malaysian government in providing protection and assistance for the Vietnamese boat people.

Over those two decades as part of an international burden sharing effort, UNHCR resettled more than 240,000 Vietnamese to countries including the United States, Canada, Australia, France, New Zealand, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Norway. During that same period, more than 9,000 persons returned home to Vietnam with the support of UNHCR.

Refugees, asylum-seekers, and stateless people live in a very challenging environment in Malaysia. The country has not acceded to the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol or relevant Statelessness Conventions, and there is no legal and policy framework to address their protection and welfare needs.

Refugees are generally seen as illegal or undocumented migrants under the Immigration Act of 1959 and by the host society at large. 

With no right to remain in Malaysia lawfully, refugees cannot work legally and have very limited access to quality healthcare and education.

UNHCR envisages a fundamental change in the way refugees and stateless people are protected and supported in Malaysia over the next five years (2017-2021). 

Together with civil society organizations, partner organizations, and the Government of Malaysia, we can:

  • Create a new “compact of solidarity” and cooperation between UNHCR, the Government of Malaysia, NGOs, partners, civil society and refugee communities to empower and support refugees to find sustainable durable solutions;
  • Move from the currently unregulated and vulnerable existence of refugees to one that allows them to reside in Malaysia on a temporary but lawful basis until solutions can be found;
  • Promote opportunities for refugees to enjoy better health and education, including access to services, and to find lawful work employment during their temporary stay;
  • Support the creation of a well-resourced and interactive network of stakeholders from a wide spectrum of business, social, humanitarian and philanthropic interests in Malaysia;
  • Ensure that this cooperation also supports the sovereignty, socio-economic and security interests of the Malaysian people. 

To support these objectives, UNHCR Malaysia will support and promote a better integrated and interactive ‘ecosystem’ or network of civil society actors. This will provide a comprehensive, predictable and sustaining environment of protection during refugees’ temporary stay in Malaysia and while durable solutions are found to end their displacement.

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Company Offices

  • Malaysia (headquarters)
  • Kuala Lumpur
  • 570 Jalan Bukit Petaling