A Member Organization of the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network and Groundup Central by the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre.
RAW 2021
RAW 2021
Beyond Refugees: Stories from the Communities
What do you see, hear or know about refugees or forced displacement? The pandemic has exacerbated xenophobic resentments impacting marginalised communities globally, even more so towards refugees and displaced communities. For refugees in camps, the danger of the spread of viruses has led to even heavier restrictions on the movement of refugees. What’s worst is when the access to essential goods and services are poorly managed by security personnels and met with violence. Imagine living in a camp with insufficient and rotten food…
Since the pandemic devastated economy has provoked resentment and xenophobia sentiments towards refugees and displaced persons, hence for RAW 2021 – “More Than” we amplify the voices of displaced communities, dispelling stigmas and stereotypes surrounding displacement. While numbers brings us a broad picture and magnitude of violence faced by refugees, yet behind these numbers are stories, experiences and wisdom to be told.
This #RAW2021 seeks to look at our refugee friends as MORE THAN just numbers. As we delve into a deeper understanding of the challenges they face in the time of COVID-19, how then can we form meaningful solidarities with them?
Campaign Features
FEATURES
Female Platform for Yemeni Refugees
The Yemeni Civil War is an ongoing multi-sided civil war that began in 2015. The UN had verified the deaths of at least 7,700 civilians by March 2020. Leena Al-Mujahed realised that Yemen was not safe for her and her daughter hence they migrated to Malaysia. When Leena first arrived in Malaysia, she was at a lost and didn’t know what to do. Soon she realised there were many other Yemeni refugees that did not have the support they needed....
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FEATURES
Safehaven Singapore
Hawkins Road Refugee Camp in Singapore (1977 to 1996) is a former British military barracks that hosted Vietnamese refugees. Refugees were allowed to stay in the camp under the condition that they would be resettled in a third “safe” country, and would stay in Singapore for no longer than three months. Lea Tran, a Hoa Vietnamese refugee who has since resettled in the United States shares her experience living in the camp...
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PARTNER
Singapore Unbound / Gaudy Boy
Singapore Unbound is one of RAW 2021 campaign partners. The two feature articles was originally published on their website. Singapore Unbound builds people-to-people understanding by facilitating cultural exchange, publishing literary works of merit, and presenting insightful events. Singapore Unbound has its own independent press, Gaudy Boy that brings powerful works of poetry, fiction, and non-fiction...
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Voices
Joniad, Myanmar
To Joniad, ironically Covid-19 has given people of the free world a taste of how it feels to live with uncertainty. But for them, this uncertainty is likely to last only a short time...
Isra Abusrour, Palestine
Isra is a refugee since she was born. The main challenge living inside the Palestine refugee camps is that they can’t move freely inside without getting permission from the Zionists...
Zakaria, Somalia
Becoming a refugee is never the first choice. In fact, it was Zakaria's last and only choice to leave his home for safety reasons. He too have lost many things in my life...
Naima, Somalia
Naima fled from Somalia due to the war and other persecutions. When she reached Malaysia, she knew nothing about it and had no idea how to start living as refugee rights is limited...
Saleh Sepas, Afghanistan
To Saleh, the word "border" denotes the image of a wall to keep people apart from each other. "Border" meant that he was forced to flee his birthplace and war-torn city Ghazni in 2016...
Mukhtar Hussain, Afghanistan
Mukhtar used to work in the US Army Corps of Engineers Projects until the Taliban killed locals who have activities with foreign troops. He fled his country and seek asylum in Indonesia...
Sung Thi Ly, Vietnam
In 2012, Thi Ly moved from Vietnam to Thailand, in hopes that she could be resettled in a third country and have a better life. But up till now, it seems like nothing is progressing...
Nimo, Somalia
Nimo undertake a risky journey, traveling by boat with people she couldn’t communicate with, and not knowing how to swim. It was a miracle how she came to Indonesia...
Humaira Ali, Afghanistan
Humaira was only 18 when she left Afghanistan for Malaysia. It was very hard as she couldn't speak English. She was told not to roam freely as she might get in trouble with the police....
Arfat, Myanmar
Back then in Myanmar, Arfat had a dream to be a professional photographer. However, when he was forced to become a refugee in Bangladesh, he felt like he had lost his future and dreams...
Hend Nash, Yemen
As war is happening in Yemen, Nash and his family wanted a better future hence they fled. What helps him get through hard times is thinking about his future and dreams...
Van, Myanmar
Van left Myanmar because life has been very difficult since childhood. His father died when he was a little boy and his mother was very unhealthy and bedridden by illness...
Event Highlights
Celebrating Women Refugee Leaders
In this discussion, despite the challenges, we celebrate the progress of women refugees in creating a space for the voices of their community to be heard in the larger humanitarian landscape. The discussion highlighted the importance of building friendship and connecting with one another for mutual understanding and support.
“…without refugee networks around the world they probably would not be able to adapt well…” – Participant
An Afternoon With Parastoo Theatre
To have an ongoing and open dialogues between refugees and non-refugees are essential for coordinated humanitarian efforts. Actively listening to to displaced communities is key to knowing the diverse needs of the community.
Book Launch & Dialogue: Women In Displacement (co-hosted with Gaudy Boy)
Conversation with Monique Truong and Leena Al-Mujahed highlights that refugees are creative, intrepid, brave and optimistic. Finding alternative narratives challenges stigma and reframes the refugee experience.
“Refugees, asylum seekers and migrants do not need to be ashamed. The fact that they take on this dangerous journey demonstrates their courage and optimism.” – Participant
Call to Action
Acknowledgements
Events
Panel Discussion Hafsar Tamesuddin Nimo Ahmed Naima Ismail Lilianne Fan
Sharing Session with Parastoo Theatre Saleh Sepas Amin Ali Reza Masooma Sepas Farzana Yakta Phui Yi
Book Launch & Dialogue Leena Al-Mujahed Monique Truong Nursyazwani Jamaludin Singapore Unbound Gaudy Boy
Voices Joniad Naima Humaira Sung Thi Ly (Lily) Isra Abusrour Nimo Saleh Sepas Lea Tran Hend Nash Mukhtar Hussain Arfat (Ro Maung Hla Myint) Van
Special thanks to Justin Tan (Social Collab) Kevin McGahan Lea Tran National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) Groundup Central Refugee Coalition of Malaysia (RCOM)
Team RAW 2021
Copywriting/Editing Michelle Santos Zhi Ming Rachel Tey
Designers Ling Gigi Izza Haziqah Samuel Chan Rachel Tey
Events Beth Lee Shanisse Goh Izhar Roslan Samuel Chan Kymberly Goh Samuel Sim
Research Project Xenia Chan Aretha Chinnaphongse Bryan Chang Fatimah Zahra Kimberly Seah Samihah Niquat
Voices Toh Ee Ming Farzanah Friday
Directors Mathilda Ho
Campaign Supporters
