The Rohingyas live a precarious existence in Malaysia. A minority
Muslim group from the Aranakan region of western Myanmar/Burma, they
live under various human rights violations in their home country.
According to Amnesty International, arbitrary taxation, extortion, hostile eviction and forced labor are the norm for Rohingyas living under the military junta.
Many of them have sought refuge in neighboring Bangladesh. A number of them have made Malaysia their shelter. According to the Harian Metro, about 20,000 Rohingya Muslims are currently living in Malaysia, though they do not officially qualify as refugees.
Noticing their marginalized presence in the country, MERCY Malaysia, in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), have been conducting monthly mobile clinics since February this year, for the benefit of the Rohingyas.
The most recent mobile clinic was held this past Saturday July 17 at the Rohingya Information center, which is no more than a low-cost house in the suburbs of Cheras, Selangor.
Twelve MERCY Malaysia staff and volunteers helped coordinate the clinic, which began in the morning and lasted till mid-afternoon. Checkups and appropriate treatments were given to about 90 Rohingyas living in the area.
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