One major issue that the Penang Refugee Network consistently faces is the demand for 'emergency' help from refugees facing a particular crisis or challenge. This could be from families, from single mothers or elderly, or from individuals including unaccompanied minors.

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Given the fact that refugees have no right to work inevitably means that incomes necessary to sustain even a subsistence life may be hard to come by, especially in a time on increased xenophobia and greater reluctance of would-be 'employers' to engage refugee or asylum seeker help.

 

There have been several NGOs catering to some of the special needs that might arise, including health, child protection and domestic violence, but many of these are facing increasing financial constraints (some have closed down) which mean more and more refugees needing help 'fall through the cracks'. Further, it is the case that the UN and NGO community more and more are looking to the refugee community to be central in 'supplying the answers'.

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PRN members have always been involved with casework, much of it on a personal level. Of course during COVID19 we were extremely active in organising support for individuals and families across Penang (see the separate page on this). Immediately after this, the European Union/Suhakam provided financial support for 40 elderly and 40 single mothers identified by our refugee community network as being in particular need. The APPGM project (related to Sustainable Development Goals) also provided support for assistance for those struggling to pay for child delivery. And we have been able to refer and be supported by wider partnerships and networks, for example through the Penang Working Group members and UNHCR.

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Increasingly, during 2025 and 2026, we have been approached by non-refugee NGO and UN partners to 'partner' on casework initiatives. This has included partnerships with HOST International Malaysia (supported by the Canadian Fund for Local Democracy), SWWB and others. These partnerships are important in exploring the limitations a community-based group faces in addressing casework challenges, including interactions with Malaysian authorities, hospitals and other agencies, and in finding 'safe spaces' (including shelters) and emergency cash aid support to, for example, GBV survivors. We are sure that such collaborations are the way forward, provided each side is open and clear and treats each others as equals. 

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Further, we have always been happy to encourage discussion amongst all agencies, including funders, and NGOS to look at committing to more refugee-led community-based options. We continue to highlight that the human resources, ideas, capacities and experience of the refugee community have been consistently overlooked for so long. We are constantly stating that it is time that the wording of the Global Compact and the very many UN and other documents asserting the value of refugee-led initiatives and 'refugee empowerment' are translated into real policy and financial commitments, for the betterment of all.

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