Malaysia

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) established a permanent presence in Kuala Lumpur in 1973 following an agreement with the Malaysian government.

At the International Islamic University of Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, the ICRC co-organizes the 7th national role-playing competition in IHL

Our work in Malaysia

The ICRC started working in Malaysia at the end of the Second World War, when we visited Japanese prisoners of war in Central Malaya. Since opening our Kuala Lumpur office in 1973, we have been working in various capacities with the Malaysian authorities and other parties to promote the well-being of detainees and respect for international humanitarian law (IHL) and to support the humanitarian operations of the Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS), our local partner from the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. 

Today, our activities focus mainly on promoting IHL and, together with the MRCS, reuniting families separated by migration or armed conflict as part of the ICRC’s Restoring Family Links programme. We also engage with local parties to gain support for our and the Movement’s work, both here and globally.

ICRC offices supporting the region: Our work in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei is supported by our regional delegation in Bangkok.

Singapore: 

The ICRC has worked for decades with strategic partners and allies in Singapore to strengthen our humanitarian mission and mandate. 

Singapore’s geostrategic influence, reputation as a regional knowledge hub and role as a convener of bilateral and multilateral engagements make it an important contributor to the ICRC’s humanitarian work. Since the Second World War we have established strong networks and partnerships through dialogue and diplomatic engagement with various branches of the Singapore government, its knowledge institutions and the Singapore Red Cross Society. This helps us promote support for IHL and for our work in the region and beyond.

Brunei:

The ICRC has worked for decades with key parties in Brunei to strengthen and promote global respect for IHL. 

Our aim in Brunei is to carry out our mission and mandate as enshrined in the Geneva Conventions of 1949, in particular by supporting efforts to promote respect for IHL and integrate it into domestic law in peacetime. To this end, we have long-standing programmes with the Brunei armed forces on IHL promotion and awareness-raising, close cooperation with the Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent Society and engagements with the Brunei national authorities and other entities, including in academia and civil society.

Contact us

Address

Unit No. 50-11-1
Wisma UOA Damansara
No. 50 Jalan Dungun
Damansara Heights
50490 KUALA LUMPUR

Telephone

+603 2084 1800

Our work with the Malaysian Red Crescent Society

The ICRC works with the MRCS across several key areas. We promote IHL, help reunite families and support the National Society in their public communication efforts and their response to humanitarian emergencies. Alongside the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), we help strengthen the MRCS’s capacity and promote the Movement’s Fundamental Principles. Additionally, we help in establishing mechanisms and platforms to facilitate a cohesive humanitarian response across the region.