About the ReAct
Refugee Action for Change (ReAct) is a refugee-led advocacy group in Malaysia. Established in June 2019, to unify refugee leaders and representatives from different nationalities and ethnicities to advocate for the recognition of refugee rights in Malaysia as a refugee-led effort. ReAct also works to empower the community as advocates by providing relevant capacity building training and awareness activities.
Mission
To advocate for the realisation of refugee rights in Malaysia, specifically in their right to work, right to education and right to healthcare.
Vision
The legal recognition of all refugees in Malaysia; and their right to employment, right to accessible education and right to affordable and quality healthcare, regardless of their age, gender, nationality, ethnicity and religion.
Objectives
ReAct History
In 2019, ReAct emerged from a partnership between Tenaganita and Beyond Borders following a consultation event involving refugee leaders, NGO representatives, and government officials from Health and Human Resource Ministries. Despite organising into nine working groups to pursue advocacy objectives, the initiative faced setbacks including undefined member responsibilities, limited commitments, insufficient funds, and poor coordination. However, in 2021 and March 2022, three coordinators underwent capacity-building training to improve effectiveness. With renewed funding in 2023, ReAct relaunched under new leadership.
ReAct, a refugee-led advocacy group in Malaysia, has been dedicated to unifying and empowering refugee leaders and representatives since its establishment in 2019. Through their mission to advocate for refugee rights and their vision of legal recognition and access to education, healthcare, and employment, ReAct has strategically worked towards improving the lives of refugees in Malaysia. Despite challenges faced in the past, ReAct has taken steps to strengthen their organization through capacity building and leadership training, demonstrating their commitment to creating lasting change for the refugee community.