UN Agencies Donate 5,000 Dignity Kits To Refugees In Malaysia

SHAH ALAM (Selangor, Malaysia) Aug 21 (Bernama) – The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) have collaborated to distribute 5,000 dignity kits to women and young girls in refugee communities around Malaysia. The packs containing soap, oral health products, reusable menstrual pad, flashlight, washing powder and an information booklet regarding the reproductive age were handed over to civil society organisations (CSO) Mercy Malaysia and the Rohingya Women Development Network (RWDN) in a simple ceremony held at the United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot (UNHRD) in Subang Friday. United Nations resident coordinator for Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, Stefen Priesner, said in his speech that the COVID-19 pandemic has deeply impacted refugee communities in Malaysia, as economic hardship and social circumstances have curtailed their access to primary essentials, especially with regards to hygiene and personal items. "These dignity kits are a small contribution to all the essential needs of vulnerable groups in Malaysia. Just like #kitajagakita, the road to recovery is not just the work of the government, but by everyone -- private sector, CSO and every one of us," he said. Also at the event were Mercy Malaysia health unit head, Dr Mohammad Iqbal Omar, and a RWDN community leader named Sayedah. Sayedah said RWDN was very grateful for the donation, including the booklet which provides information on gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as mental health and psychosocial support. "This is the first time the girls are receiving the kits. We are very thankful to all the agencies involved in making these kits and also taking the consideration to give the kits to the young Rohingya girls," she said while adding that they will be distributed from the RWDN office in Gombak. -- BERNAMA