UNHCR convened its third Community Leaders Townhall of the year, bringing together 109 refugee leaders from 62 community groups for a day of reflection, dialogue, and collaboration. The townhall also served as a post–World Refugee Day celebration, recognizing the resilience and contributions of refugee communities.
The session opened with remarks from UNHCR emphasizing the importance of two-way communication and community leadership. UNHCR also shared updates on the Refugee Medical Insurance (REMEDI) Sponsorship Programme and the Measles-Rubella Supplementary Immunization Program.
A “Hot Seat” session followed, featuring Louise Aubin, the UNHCR Representative in Malaysia, who addressed pressing concerns around registration timelines, the protection environment for refugees in Malaysia, and the impact of the global humanitarian funding cuts.
The townhall also featured a sharing session from three community-based groups: Youth Empowerment Support (YES), Mon Refugee Organisation (MRO), and Myanmar Ethnic Women Refugee Organisation (MEWRO). Each group shared their journey, challenges, and strategies for sustaining their work. From education to community empowerment, the presentations showcased the resilience and innovation of refugee-led initiatives.
The day concluded with an open mic segment, where community leaders shared one-minute ideas to strengthen their communities. Suggestions ranged from improving teacher training and promoting REMEDI to enhancing grant-writing capacity and spreading accurate information via social media.
Throughout the townhall, UNHCR emphasized the importance of collaboration, accurate information sharing, and strategic advocacy. Despite funding constraints, UNHCR reaffirmed its commitment to protection efforts, while encouraging refugee communities to build networks, share resources, and advocate for their rights.
Representative of the UNHCR operations in Malaysia, Louise Aubin, during the “Hot Seat” session