UNICEF MALAYSIA ANNUAL REPORT 2021
We cannot change the lives
of children alone!
We need YOU!
of children alone!
We need YOU!
#ForEveryChild, a future beyond COVID-19
#ForEveryChild,
a future beyond
COVID-19
a future beyond
COVID-19
#EndThePandemic
By the end of 2021, communities across the globe received vaccinations through the COVAX initiative. On behalf of COVAX, UNICEF is leading efforts to procure and supply COVID-19 vaccines. We achieved this while providing millions of people with life-saving humanitarian assistance thanks to your support.
During difficult times for all, you did not hesitate to donate towards a better future for every child. Your generosity allowed us to bring water to children in war-torn countries, treat millions for malnutrition, educate the youth about mental health and personal safety, and much more. We are pleased to share with you the results of our global and local efforts.
HELPING FAMILIES ON THE EDGE NAVIGATE COVID-19
In just one year, the COVID-19 pandemic widened the gap between children and their families who have access to critical services and support, and those who don’t.
Because of you, we were able to help people like Rosmawati Muhammad Yusof, a single mother of three, and Mohd Sarji Ramli, who lives with debilitating rheumatoid arthritis and whose wife recently suffered a stroke.
The COVID-19 pandemic left both families and many more like theirs struggling to make ends meet.
These are their stories
A story of a single mother
Most vulnerable group struggles
We could not have done it without YOU!
Watch our 2021 activities recap to see how many lives you have changed.
We could not have done it without YOU!
Watch our 2021 activities recap to see how many lives you have changed.






KEY LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS 2021


This allowed us to equip two major public hospitals in the Klang Valley with 400 oxygen concentrators as well as deliver life-saving obstetrician and gynaecology (OBGYN) medical equipment to five hospitals in Sabah.


- Hospital Kuala Lumpur
- Hospital Selayang
- Hospital Wanita dan Kanak-Kanak Sabah
- Hospital Duchess of Kent
- Hospital Keningau
- Hospital Tawau
- Hospital Lahad Datu


The data pinpoints the most pressing issues for low-income households:
- COVID-19 resulted in reduced income
- Households led by women and disabled people suffered the most
- High unemployment rates as most were informal workers
- Children were unable to follow online learning due to lack of access to devices
- Lack of financial safety nets
- Social protection schemes need expansion
- Lack of social safety nets for the self-employed
- Pessimism about future financial ability
- Major mental health assistance is needed
- Strengthen social protection and labour market interventions
- Enhance systems that ensure equity within education
- Improve current mental health services
- Expand services which tends to gender-based violence and violence against children
- Ensure an inclusive COVID-19 vaccination programme


The platform has generated:
- over 900,000 page views,
- over 34,000 unique users,
- more than 3500 teachers from 1600 schools trained





- ignored in national legislation and policies;
- excluded from basic health, education and protection services;
- subjected to negative public attitudes and stigma; and
- expected to overcome multiple barriers, including inaccessible public and private spaces

- Real estate and housing developers
- Government bodies or municipal authorities
- Public spaces landscape designers
- Communities advocating for accessibility of their neighbourhoods


Impact of Climate Change on Children: A Malaysian Perspective, is the first exploratory study that addresses children as an especially vulnerable group in relation to the impact of climate change and environmental degradation in the country.
Conducted by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, in collaboration with UNICEF and Universiti Malaysia Sabah, the study found that:

- Climate change and environmental degradation are intensifying in Malaysia alongside rapid development.
- Children’s rights are affected to varying degrees depending on societal and geographical conditions.
- Serious risks range from floods and vector- borne diseases to worsening air quality.
- Children from marginalised communities are more vulnerable due to poverty, illiteracy, and poor access to basic services.
- Different genders are affected differently.
- Most aspects of children’s rights have not been adequately considered in Malaysia’s governance framework on climate and environment.


UNICEF developed an Advocacy Brief: Towards Ending Child Marriage in Malaysia in consultation with the government, Office of the Children’s Commissioner, civil society partners and others.
This brief is:
- an effort to raise awareness of the situation of Child Marriage in Malaysia, the factors contributing to the phenomenon and way forward to Ending Child Marriage in Malaysia.
- an effective tool and resource to support the implementation of the National Strategy Plan in Handling the Causes of Child Marriage 2020 developed by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM).
- a Call to Action for joint work on Ending Child Marriage including partnering with civil society, federal and state governments, community and religious groups as well as children.




KEY LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS 2021


This allowed us to equip two major public hospitals in the Klang Valley with 400 oxygen concentrators as well as deliver life-saving obstetrician and gynaecology (OBGYN) medical equipment to five hospitals in Sabah.
- Hospital Kuala Lumpur
- Hospital Selayang
- Hospital Wanita dan Kanak-Kanak Sabah
- Hospital Duchess of Kent
- Hospital Keningau
- Hospital Tawau
- Hospital Lahad Datu


The data pinpoints the most pressing issues for low-income households:
- COVID-19 resulted in reduced income
- Households led by women and disabled people suffered the most
- High unemployment rates as most were informal workers
- Children were unable to follow online learning due to lack of access to devices
- Lack of financial safety nets
- Social protection schemes need expansion
- Lack of social safety nets for the self-employed
- Pessimism about future financial ability
- Major mental health assistance is needed
- Strengthen social protection and labour market interventions
- Enhance systems that ensure equity within education
- Improve current mental health services
- Expand services which tends to gender-based violence and violence against children
- Ensure an inclusive COVID-19 vaccination programme


The platform has generated:
- over 900,000 page views,
- over 34,000 unique users,
- more than 3500 teachers from 1600 schools trained





- ignored in national legislation and policies;
- excluded from basic health, education and protection services;
- subjected to negative public attitudes and stigma; and
- expected to overcome multiple barriers, including inaccessible public and private spaces
- Real estate and housing developers
- Government bodies or municipal authorities
- Public spaces landscape designers
- Communities advocating for accessibility of their neighbourhoods


Conducted by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, in collaboration with UNICEF and Universiti Malaysia Sabah, the study found that:
- Climate change and environmental degradation are intensifying in Malaysia alongside rapid development.
- Children’s rights are affected to varying degrees depending on societal and geographical conditions.
- Serious risks range from floods and vector- borne diseases to worsening air quality.
- Children from marginalised communities are more vulnerable due to poverty, illiteracy, and poor access to basic services.
- Different genders are affected differently.
- Most aspects of children’s rights have not been adequately considered in Malaysia’s governance framework on climate and environment.


UNICEF developed an Advocacy Brief: Towards Ending Child Marriage in Malaysia in consultation with the government, Office of the Children’s Commissioner, civil society partners and others.
This brief is:
- an effort to raise awareness of the situation of Child Marriage in Malaysia, the factors contributing to the phenomenon and way forward to Ending Child Marriage in Malaysia.
- an effective tool and resource to support the implementation of the National Strategy Plan in Handling the Causes of Child Marriage 2020 developed by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM).
- a Call to Action for joint work on Ending Child Marriage including partnering with civil society, federal and state governments, community and religious groups as well as children.




KEY GLOBAL HIGHLIGHTS 2021
PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERSHIPS
Championing children’s right for every child with JDT FC


A first-of-its-kind partnership in this region, UNICEF and Johor Darul Ta’zim Football Club (JDT FC) joined hands in advocating and raising awareness of child rights. During the first year of this partnership, together we launched the football club’s jersey carrying the UNICEF logo and achieved several key milestones throughout 2021.
Together, we have:
- Highlighted children’s mental health issues to the public and shared practical tips on maintaining good mental health.
- Helped build confidence in COVID-19 vaccines within the communities.
- Promoted the importance of developing healthy eating habits.
- Raised public awareness on child protection issues.
- Encouraged immediate climate protection action.
A first-of-its-kind partnership in this region, UNICEF and Johor Darul Ta’zim Football Club (JDT FC) joined hands in advocating and raising awareness of child rights. During the first year of this partnership, together we launched the football club’s jersey carrying the UNICEF logo and achieved several key milestones throughout 2021.
Together, we have:
- Highlighted children’s mental health issues to the public and shared practical tips on maintaining good mental health.
- Helped build confidence in COVID-19 vaccines within the communities.
- Promoted the importance of developing healthy eating habits.
- Raised public awareness on child protection issues.
- Encouraged immediate climate protection action.
Special Messages to you from UNICEF Team!
Watch video to see Ismail Izzani, UNICEF Youth Advocate in Malaysia interview three people from UNICEF Malaysia!
Special Messages to you from UNICEF Team!
Watch video to see Ismail Izzani, UNICEF Youth Advocate in Malaysia interview three people from UNICEF Malaysia!




FOR EVERY CHILD, HOPE
In 2021, your donations allowed
us to:
us to:
SUPPLIES THAT CHANGED CHILDREN’S LIVES
With your support and together with our partners, we have procured RM 30 billion worth of life-saving goods and services for children
in 160 countries and territories.
With your support and together with our partners, we have procured RM 30 billion worth of life-saving goods and services for children in 160 countries and territories.
THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS
FOR THEIR SUPPORT
FOR THEIR SUPPORT
Uniting with companies, corporate foundations and other private organisations
to uphold child rights.
to uphold child rights.
Uniting with companies, corporate foundations and other private organisations to uphold child rights.















