Giving food to mark World Refugee Day

IN CONJUNCTION with World Refugee Day on June 20, the Rohingya community and the poor in Selayang were treated to food courtesy of the Malaysian International Welfare and Humanitarian Organisation (MyWelfare) in Selayang Baru.

The Kuala Lumpur Bar Committee, Association of Women Lawyers, Cowboy Food Trucks, Lokka Cafe Food Truck and Sri Anggerik distributed 500 food packets to the Rohingya community at the MyWelfare office.

At the event, RM5,500 was donated to Rainbow of Love Informal School for Refugee Children.

MyWelfare exco member Jules Rahman Ong said the distribution of food was held daily at the centre during the fasting month.

“Apart from Ramadan, we also distribute food to these refugees daily. We started the programme four months ago and were distributing about 100 to 150 packets. The number has grown rapidly and now our distribution stands at about 1,000 food packets daily not only to Rohingyas but also poor Malaysians living around the area.

“Among the items given out are rice, vegetables, porridge, meat, beans, potatoes and drinks.

“Four months ago, we moved from Jalan 1 to Jalan 4 in Selayang Baru and occupy this three-storey building which is very strategic and convenient,’’ said Jules, adding that MyWelfare also provides free medical consultation, food and non-food distribution and a skills training centre for refugees.

Volunteers, including lawyers, distributing food packets to the refugees at MyWelfare in Selayang Baru during the event. —Photos: ROHAIZAT MD DARUS

MyWelfare also distributes food packets daily to the nearby Myanmar community and poor Malaysians on a three-wheel motorcycle.

Right after the food packs were distributed to Rohingyas, a volunteer filled a motorcycle with food packs and distributed them in Batu Caves and Kepong.

Jules said the refugees and asylum seekers do not have the right to work legally in Malaysia and often work in informal sectors in jobs that are dirty, dangerous and dull; which are not popular with Malaysians.

“Often they are underpaid and exploited and do not get sick leave. We provide them with basic necessities like shelter, food and clothing,’’ he said.

Association of Women Lawyers president Goh Siu Lin said they wanted to make this year more meaningful and decided to give away the food packs and also break fast with the refugees after the food was distributed.

Rafik (with beard) and volunteers placing food in a three-wheel motorcycle for distribution throughout Selayang area.

Rafik Ismail, 41, who is a Rohingya community leader here, said he was very grateful to Malaysians who had shown concern for the community during the fasting month.

“MyWelfare has been helping refugees here since 2011. Many of the refugees are unemployed but have children to feed.

“Many of them are non-Muslims and we provide them with food too,’’ he said.