Every day, REF receives urgent calls from vulnerable families facing medical emergencies, unsafe living conditions, and hunger. Your donation helps deliver life-saving support right away.
If you need urgent assistance or refer a client REF, please click here.
Who We Are
The Refugee Emergency Fund (REF) is a refugee-led non-profit organisation dedicated to addressing the urgent needs and challenges faced by refugees, asylum seekers, and undocumented migrants in Malaysia. Since its inception in 2017, REF has been at the forefront of providing immediate support through crowdfunding initiatives focused on emergency cases.
REF was established by Hasan Al-Akraa, a dedicated advocate for refugee rights, who recognized a significant gap in emergency response assistance during his transformative seven years of work within the refugee community. Under his leadership, REF has developed a robust framework to mobilize resources and raise funds efficiently for those in dire situations. Currently, REF operates as a collective team, with each member contributing unique skills and insights to enhance the organisation's impact.
What We Do
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REF’s core service is to provide financial assistance for emergency cases faced by the most vulnerable populations in Malaysia (refugees, asylum seekers, undocumented migrants, stateless people, etc). Through collective crowdfunding efforts, internal case management, and strategic partnerships, we fill in the gap in this critical need.
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REF actively organizes capacity building trainings and workshops for community leaders, focal points and community members on health-related topics like Family Planning, Sexual & Reproductive Health & Rights, Financial Planning, and Birth Registration, among others.
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REF is actively involved in research and advocacy initiatives to bring about systemic change and influence policy via stakeholder engagements, research presentations, regional & national advocacy platforms, awareness events, and targeted public engagement, among others.
Why REF Exists?
Malaysia is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention or the 1967 Protocol, and with the absence of a legal framework, refugees and asylum seekers are not legally recognized by the government. This has resulted in limited access to basic human rights, including the right to work, education, movement, and affordable healthcare.
They are also at risk of exploitation, arrest, and detention. Refugees with UNHCR documents are able to receive a 50% discount from foreigner rates at government hospitals; however, it is not applicable to all types of treatments, and even with the discount, the cost remains significantly expensive.
As a result, refugees and people seeking asylum cannot afford or access healthcare services, life-saving treatments, safe housing, and stable income. Here is where REF steps in to fill this critical gap.
Our Approach
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REF was founded by refugees for refugees to provide effective solutions to the critical needs faced by the community. We firmly uphold the principle that "nothing about us, without us," which informs our operations at every level within the organization. This commitment is foundational in our community-led approach. We also value equity and diversity; 100% of our team identify as people of color, over 80% of our team identifies as women, and 40% have lived/living experiences of forced displacement. This diverse representation enriches our understanding and enhances our ability to serve the community effectively.
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As a community-led organization, we have intentionally distanced ourselves from the conventional bureaucracy that are often seen in many institutions and their leadership structures. REF operates under a model of collective leadership that involves the active participation of all committee and staff members. Decisions are collaboratively discussed and reached through a participatory approach that ensures every voice is heard and valued. We are dedicated to maintaining this inclusive methodology, as we have witnessed the positive impact it has had on our organization and its personnel. This commitment not only enhances our organizational culture but also fosters a sense of ownership and accountability among our team members.
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We strongly value partnerships and collective work, as opposed to operating in silo. Throughout the years, we have collaborated with numerous organizations, activists, and community leaders to ensure that our resources are used in the most effective manner possible. The voice of the community is instrumental in guiding and informing our initiatives; therefore, we actively engage with community members and their leaders to ensure that our services are closely aligned with their goals and needs. Our partnership approach is anchored in the practical work we do through strategic and meaningful engagement, fostering collaboration that truly benefits the communities we serve.
Recent Updates
