PUTRAJAYA: Some 56,000 Rohingya refugees living in Malaysia will be given access to education, training and healthcare using funds contributed by the Qatar government.
Help for the refugees, who are holders of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) card will be co-ordinated by the National Security Council, helped by the Prime Minister’s Department and several ministries as well as NGOs working with the community.
The high-level committee meeting on the issue of Rohingya chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi wanted assistance to be extended to the target group fast.
“Our commitment is to ensure the funds reach the community to better their lives here while waiting to return home or be sent elsewhere,” said Dr Ahmad Zahid after the meeting yesterday.
Malaysia’s call for the global community to aid the Rohingnya received support from the Qatar government, which agreed to provide funds to help the refugees in Malaysia.
The commitment by Qatar was secured after a series of meetings between Dr Ahmad Zahid and the top leadership of the emirate during his visit there recently.
The financial assistance is channelled through the Qatar Development Fund.
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