Turkish NGOs' Assistance to Refugees:

What Can Malaysia Learn?

Abstract

Until 2020, the refugee statistics are climbing due to the humanitarian crisis in their countries and regions, specifically the Syrian civil war crisis, the denial of Rohingya citizenship in Myanmar, and the Saudi Arabia-Yemen war. Based on the statistics shown by UNHCR, Türkiye hosts 3.8 million refugees and has been the largest refugee-hosting country in the world for the past eight years, most of whom are from Syria. Out of a sense of responsibility and concern about the plight of refugees in Turkiye, various actors, particularly NGOs, appeared to support them. Progressive NGOs have been influential in distributing humanitarian assistance to refugees and ensuring access to education, employment, and healthcare services. Similar to Turkiye, Malaysia is becoming a place in refugees' hearts to seek shelter and a better life. Thus, by comparing the roles and assistance between Turkish NGOs and Malaysian NGOs toward refugees through the discourse of previous studies, this study aims to untangle how Malaysian NGOs can learn from Turkish NGOs to empower assistance toward refugees further. Our research perceives Malaysian NGOs could implement humanitarian assistance to refugees, including teaching them how to be independent through vocational training and employment, education (English and local language), health (clinic and psychological treatment), shelter, legal aid, and intermediary.