UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Families on the Edge Research Project?

In May 2020 UNICEF and UNFPA jointly commissioned the Families on the Edge study to explore the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on women and children in low income urban families in Malaysia. There are a total of four reports under the Families on the Edge project. 

The purpose of this study is to support the Government of Malaysia’s efforts to mitigate the direct and indirect impacts of COVID-19 on vulnerable groups through the generation of high-quality evidence and promotion of stakeholder dialogue on short, medium and long-term policy solutions. The project is meant to offer critical insights for the general public and policymakers as Malaysia aims to ‘build-back-better’.

Click here for more details about the project. 

What are the key findings of the Families on the Edge: Part 1?

Families on the Edge: Part 1 describes the immediate socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis on a group of 500 families with children in Kuala Lumpur’s low-cost flats. Urban low-income families are much more likely to be unemployed, have cut working hours and experience greater challenges in accessing healthcare and home-based learning. COVID-19 has also further exacerbated food insecurity among low income households and forced many low-income families to adopt less healthy diets, thereby threatening to further exacerbate Malaysia’s worsening child malnutrition crisis.

Click here for the full report (Part 1).

What are the key findings of the Families on the Edge: Part 2?

Families on the Edge: Part 2 describes the extent to which 500 families with children in Kuala Lumpur’s low-cost flats have recovered from the Movement Control Order (MCO) period, which was from 18 March 2020 to 13 May 2020. 

It shows that livelihoods and wellbeing among many low-income families in Kuala Lumpur have started to recover. However, this recovery is partial, uneven and uncertain.

Click here for the full report (Part 2).

What are the key findings of the Families on the Edge: Part 3?

Families on the Edge: Part 3 reveals risk of widening disparities and need for strengthened social protection. It continues to track the impact of the dynamic COVID- 19 crisis on low income families, focusing on how key socio-economic indicators changed over the CMCO period (October 14, 2020 – December 23, 2020). Insecurity of employment among female headed households is particularly highlighted.

Despite mitigating measures by the government, the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic continues to negatively impact low-income urban families in Kuala Lumpur.

Click here for the Part 3 - factsheet.

What are the key findings of the Families on the Edge: Part 4?

Families on the Edge: Part 4 reveals need for sustained and reliable support for low-income families to deliver an inclusive recovery from COVID-19. It was conducted in March 2021 – almost exactly a year after the first COVID-19 Movement Control Order came into force. It further enhances our understanding of situation of low-income urban families following almost an entire year of hardship and uncertainty. It found that median household income among participant families had recovered to 95% of the pre-crisis level.

Click here for the full report (Part 4).

Why should I donate to UNICEF and where does my donation go?

Your donation and contribution to UNICEF is vital to help a child in need be it in Malaysia or globally.

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to promote and protect the rights of children. When you donate to UNICEF, you contribute to their well-being through programmes that help children survive and thrive to adulthood, providing essential medicines, nutrition, vaccines, educational, health and emergency supplies. As a leading organisation working for children, UNICEF also uses its global influence to advocate for the long-term needs of children and women around the world. Because UNICEF is not funded by the United Nations, we depend entirely on regular donations to continue making positive changes for children in Malaysia and around the world.

Together, with your help, we can improve the lives of children in need today.

When I donate to UNICEF, is it tax deductible in Malaysia?

Yes, when you donate to UNICEF, you get to enjoy tax exemption benefits from the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (LHDN) for donations of RM50 and above, as according to section 44(6) of the Income tax Act 1967, Malaysia.

How can I donate to UNICEF Malaysia on a monthly basis?

There are 3 methods that you can choose from to donate: Through credit card, debit card or via auto-debit from a Maybank (MBB) account. 

(Note: Donation method via cheque is ONLY accepted when the donors prefer NOT to donate through their credit cards or MBB bank account)

When I donate to UNICEF Malaysia, how does it get deducted monthly?

After you make your initial UNICEF donation, future donations will be automatically charged to your credit card or deducted monthly from your bank account. For example, if you choose to donate monthly an amount of RM100 today, your next donation of RM100 will be automatically charged to your account in exactly one month to the day, and each subsequent month thereafter. 

Why does the programme have monthly donation schemes?

A monthly UNICEF donation provides steady and cost-effective source of income. As our country programmes are long-term and permanent, each month you donate allows us to focus on teaching, encouraging and mentoring local communities to build local capacity and help their own children. It also allows us to focus on strategic long-term goals in order to provide permanent solutions to ongoing worldwide difficulties for children. 
Because monthly donations to UNICEF Malaysia are processed automatically, this helps to reduce our administrative costs - which allows us to spend more on programmes for children.

Can I make a one-time donation to UNICEF Malaysia?

Yes, you can donate one-time and any amount is greatly appreciated. However, we encourage a monthly donation as it enables us to plan effectively in our upcoming work for children; knowing that we have the funds in hand to invest in long-term solutions and making a positive impact for children.

What happens to the UNICEF donations raised?

As stewards for the world's most vulnerable children, we believe it is our responsibility to use every Ringgit received from our donors wisely. Your UNICEF donation goes directly towards the mission of our organization, including programme services and engaging the public. For more information, kindly refer to UNICEF Malaysia Annual Report 2021.

How is UNICEF Malaysia funded and how much of UNICEF’s donations goes to children?

Although part of the United Nations (UN) system, UNICEF does not receive any funding from the UN. All the funding UNICEF receives is provided by voluntary contributions from governments, private individuals and businesses from around the world, as well as foundations and the general public.

For every 1 Ringgit you donate to UNICEF, about 80 sen goes to helping save and transform children’s lives. We spend about 20 sen on policy, management, administration and reinvestment.

Your contribution helps support the provision of essential medicines, vaccines, educational, health and emergency supplies to help children in Malaysia and globally survive and thrive to adulthood. UNICEF also uses its global influence to advocate for the long-term needs of children and women around the world.

How many years am I pledging to donate for?

When you donate to UNICEF Malaysia, you are in total control of your own giving. You can change your gift at any time. UNICEF Malaysia would like to encourage you to give for as long as possible, as this way you can make more of a difference to the lives of children.

What do I get in return when I donate?

You will receive regular updates on how your UNICEF donation is being spent to help the children of Malaysia and around the world. You can join donor-exclusive events and activities organized by UNICEF Malaysia.

If you are a monthly donor, you are also eligible for tax exemption for your donation to UNICEF, which is expected to be received in the first quarter of every year.

If you are a one-time donor, you will receive a donation receipt from UNICEF for every donation you make. For every donation of RM50 and above, it is also tax exempt under Section 44(6) of the Income Tax Act 1967.

Will my credit card and bank account information remain confidential?

UNICEF Malaysia adheres to a strict policy regarding donor privacy. Your personal information will be dealt with the utmost confidentiality within the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). You can contact the Donor Services team on 1300 300 010 (9.00am - 5.30pm) or email donorcare@unicef.my for more information.

How do I make changes to my monthly UNICEF donation?

Every Ringgit is crucial to carry out the important work we do for children and we hope to get your vital support. However, should you ever need to stop your UNICEF donation, all you have to do is contact us through the contact details provided below. Please allow a maximum of 30 days for the termination of auto debit, debit card or credit card arrangements to take effect. Our contact details can be found below:

UNICEF Malaysia  
United Nations Children’s Fund, 
Menara PJH, Level 10, No. 2, 
Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, Precinct 2, 
62100, Putrajaya, Malaysia. 

Donor Services Hotline: 1300 300 010 
Fax: +603 2093 0582 
Email: donorcare@unicef.my
Contact: Donor Services Team 
Office hours: Monday - Friday; 9.00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Are there other ways to sign up and donate to UNICEF’s monthly donation programme?

Yes, you can download the form from the donation page and submit it to us via mail/fax or to the address below. Please make all cheques payable to UNICEF. You can also sign up as a UNICEF monthly donor via our Face-to-Face Fundraising Programme.

Our contact details can be found below:

UNICEF Malaysia
United Nations Children’s Fund,
Menara PJH, Level 10, No. 2,
Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, Precinct 2,
62100, Putrajaya, Malaysia.

Donor Services Hotline: 1300 300 010
Fax: +603 2093 0582
Email: donorcare@unicef.my
Contact: Donor Services Team
Office hours: Monday - Friday; 9.00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

How do I change my address and bank details?

Please let us know as soon as you move, or if your bank details change for any reason. When doing this, we advise you not to email any bank details as we cannot guarantee security. Please call UNICEF Malaysia’s Donor Hotline at 1300 300 010 – they will be happy to amend your donations details.

What are other ways that I can donate to UNICEF?

There are number of ways you can donate to UNICEF. One of them is to inspire your social circle to contribute to the future of children. Get your family members, relatives, friends, colleagues, hobby interest groups involved and donate to UNICEF via SimplyGiving. Check out the fundraising guide here.

Besides, you can donate via a Tribute Gift to honour yourself or someone special by celebrating special occasions such as birthdays, graduations, wedding anniversaries, job promotions, retirement, newborn babies and so much more.

Furthermore, you can also choose to leave a gift in your will to support UNICEF's work on building a better world for children. Your legacy giving can help transform the lives of many children today and tomorrow.

What is the importance of my donation to UNICEF?

By making a donation to UNICEF, you really are making a difference to children's lives. 

With your donation, you are working together with UNICEF for the survival, protection and development of children in Malaysia and more than 190 countries all around the world. As an established international organization, UNICEF has good systems and are able to fully utilise your donation to really help a child in need, not only in Malaysia but other countries around the world where it is harder to reach.  We ensure more of the world's children are vaccinated, educated and protected than any other organisation. 

We get things done. And we're not going to stop until the world is a safe place for all our children.