'We Are Worth Nothing' - Refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia

"We are worth nothing" is the phrase a man used for describing his life, and that of other refugees in Malaysia. The lack of legal recognition (Malaysia is not a signatory to the Refugee Convention); the constant fear for arrest and deportation; the often inhuman living conditions; and the obstacles for accessing basic services such as health care, all add up to a life of real hardship.

Not surprisingly, this has serious consequences for the physical and mental health of refugees and asylum seekers in the country. Over a period of two-and-a-half years, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has been providing basic health care for these communities, free of charge and with no risk of the patients being turned in to the police or immigration authorities.

MSF has summarised the experience, observations and conclusions of its team in a briefing document, titled "We are worth nothing". With this paper, MSF hopes to increase the understanding among Malaysian policy makers and opinion leaders of the daily reality of living as a refugee in this country.

In addition, MSF has asked a number of refugees from Myanmar to tell the stories of their lives in photos and words.

The full report: "We are Worth Nothing: Refugee and Asylum Seeker Communities in Malaysia"
Photo gallery: "My Life as a Refugee in Malaysia"