Issue
The Government of Malaysia has emphasised the importance of inclusion within the national economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, yet vulnerable communities are often unaware of dedicated support schemes or find it challenging to access them.
How we are helping
This project will enable leaders in vulnerable communities to raise awareness of support services that are available during the Covid-19 pandemic. It will conduct multi-stakeholder dialogues to ensure government policies effectively meet the needs of vulnerable communities.
About the project
The Government of Malaysia responded to the Covid-19 pandemic with a range of initiatives to mitigate the impact, including a National Economic Recovery Plan. The importance of inclusion is emphasised through dedicated schemes such as the Social Supports for Vulnerable Groups and Social Protection for Gig Economy Workforce.
Despite the availability of financial support, access is problematic for some vulnerable communities. Stateless persons and undocumented migrants are especially affected because of a range of factors including low awareness and other challenges that come with lack of citizenship.
The project will support the Government of Malaysia in its efforts to respond to the pandemic in an inclusive way by raising awareness of, and improving access to, the support available to vulnerable communities.
This will be achieved by:
- identifying and training 240 Community Leaders (school teachers, representatives of local, youth and women organisations, representatives of vulnerable communities, and religious leaders) in six states on existing government schemes and on raising awareness of these schemes;
- producing and distributing 2,000 print and digital informational materials detailing available government support and services
- organising two multi-stakeholder dialogues with representatives of vulnerable communities, community leaders, government agencies, and local civil society organisations to identify community needs and priorities and to formulate recommendations for addressing the needs of vulnerable communities and strengthening community responses
- producing and distributing a multi-stakeholder dialogue report containing priorities and policy recommendations to help strengthen community responses
Project Partners
The Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas (DHRRA) is a non-profit and non-political organisation based in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. It works to address vulnerable communities’ access to necessities and rights including education, legal advice, psychological counselling, provides training and facilitates learning. DHRRA strengthens social protection in communities and empower members of communities to become self-reliant. DHRRA is one of the main actors in Malaysia working to tackle statelessness through evidenced based advocacy. It has a good track record of working closely with government, grassroots communities, managing and delivering successful projects to ensure sustained improvement of the quality of life of the vulnerable.
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