Sultan meets Rohingya families at refugee centre
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| Dr Shaikh Sultan and Shaikha Jawaher visited UNHCR’s Harmony Refugee Learning Centre in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, recently. Image Credit: WAM |
By Gulf News
May 8, 2016
Calls on international community to end their suffering
Sharjah: The international community must pay attention to the suffering of refugees around the world, His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, said during his recent visit to UNHCR’s Harmony Refugee Learning Centre in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur.
He visited the refugee learning centre with his wife, Shaikha Jawaher Bint Mohammad Al Qasimi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)’s Eminent Advocate for Refugee Children.
During the visit, Dr Shaikh Sultan interacted with the refugee children and called on the world to move seriously towards providing the refugees with the means for a dignified life, including shelter, food, health and education.
He emphasised that everyone in this world, whether governments, institutions or individuals, are required to play an active role in the protection of refugee families, especially children.
Dr Shaikh Sultan and Shaikha Jawaher met Rohingya refugee families from Myanmar and listened to the details of their arduous journey to asylum. They also met a number of students who receive education at the centre.
Dr Shaikh Sultan also met Richard Towle, UNHCR Representative in Malaysia. They discussed the situation of refugees in the country and UNHCR’s efforts to support them and help them overcome the trials and challenges of life in exile.
Dr Shaikh Sultan and Shaikha Jawaher inquired about UNHCR’s needs to be able to continue providing support and assistance to refugees residing in Malaysia, specifically displaced Rohingya Muslim families from Myanmar.
Dr Shaikh Sultan commended UNHCR’s efforts to protect refugees across the world and provide them with their needs.
He stressed that helping one another is a human imperative that cannot be sidelined or abandoned.
Dr Shaikh Sultan called for raising the level of cooperation by both the public and private sectors in all countries to provide more support, rehabilitation and care for refugees living in Malaysia, especially with regard to education.
He said that the future generations will be compromised if we fail to invest in our children’s education.
Shaikha Jawaher reiterated her commitment to closely follow up the issue of Myanmar refugees, especially children, who account for 20 per cent of the total refugees in Malaysia, according to UNHCR data.
