Individuals who choose to return to Myanmar and who inform UNHCR of that choice by 30 June 2019 will have access to: counseling from UNHCR staff in Malaysia on conditions in areas of intended return, facilitation of departure from Malaysia and travel to Myanmar, a cash grant to assist in reintegration, and monitoring, guidance, and counseling by the UNHCR Myanmar team as required upon return.
Counseling
Voluntary repatriation counseling will be provided for you at:
Durable Solutions Unit (Voluntary Repatriation Team)
Address: UNHCR MALAYSIA, 570 JALAN BUKIT PETALING, 50460 KUALA LUMPUR
Tel: +603 8118 4800
Opening days: Thursday and Friday
Opening hours: 08:30 – 13:00
Voluntary Repatriation Package
While funding is available, a package of assistance will be provided to Chin who wish to voluntarily return to Myanmar.
Assistance will include the following components:
1. Transportation: Your transportation (flight from Kuala Lumpur to Yangon and bus from Yangon to Chin State) costs will be covered by UNHCR.
2. Reintegration Cash Assistance: Cash assistance will be provided to facilitate economic integration and to help you purchase basic household items upon return. Funded by UNHCR.
– US$ 150/adult (approximately)
– US$ 100/child (approximately)
3. Food Cash Assistance: Cash assistance to help meet your basic food needs following return will also be provided. Funded by WFP.
– US$ 60/individual (approximately)
Voluntary Repatriation Flowchart
Step 1: While you have refugee status you can apply for UNHCR’s voluntary repatriation package at any time from the date of the notification interview until 30 June 2019.
Step 2: Please approach the UNHCR Durable Solutions staff at UNHCR Malaysia, 570 Jalan Bukit Petaling, 50460 Kuala Lumpur (Phone: +603 8118 4800) between 8:30 and 13:00 on Thursday or Friday. Inform UNHCR of your interest in returning to Myanmar.
Step 3: UNHCR schedules an appointment for a voluntary repatriation interview. At the time of the interview, please bring the following documents with you:
- Refugee Cards/letters
- Documentation from Myanmar (if available)
Step 4: An interview takes place to ensure your decision to return is voluntary and informed. Declaration and Voluntary Repatriation Form (VRF) are signed.
Step 5: UNHCR will refer you to IOM for additional processing.
Step 6: You should approach the Myanmar Embassy after your application has been accepted by UNHCR in order to obtain the relevant documentation (Certificate of Identity) needed for return. Please be aware of the following:
• You must complete an interview/forms at the Myanmar Embassy.
• If you have documents to prove nationality, the issuance of a Certificate of Identity will be facilitated.
• If you do not have documents to prove nationality, the information you provide will need to be checked inside Myanmar. Once approved, a Certificate of Identity will be issued.
• The Certificate of Identity is free of charge.
• The Certificate of Identity will be valid for three months so travel should take place within this time.
• Ensure that any children born in Malaysia have been registered with the Myanmar Embassy before return.
As this may be a lengthy process, you are encouraged to approach the Embassy as soon as possible. If you face difficulties or are unable to obtain documentation, please contact UNHCR.
Step 7: Ensure that any debts (such as credits to shop keepers, landlords, etc) you may have incurred are settled and retain evidence of the settlement. Ensure any outstanding court cases are concluded.
Step 8: Once you have received the relevant documents from the Myanmar Embassy, please approach IOM to support your request for an exit permit from the Government of Malaysia.
Step 9: IOM will arrange for travel to Yangon by air.
Step 10: IOM will arrange for a pre-flight embarkation health check.
Step 11: You are encouraged to obtain the following documents prior to your departure for ease of integration upon return:
a. Medical documents (including diagnoses, treatment plans, and updated vaccination cards)
b. Education documents (including transcripts, completion certificates, report cards, and recommendation letters)
c. Employment documents (including proof of previous employment and/or a letter of recommendation)
Step 12: Travel by air from Kuala Lumpur to Yangon.
Please note that you are not permitted to return to Myanmar with livestock, motorbikes, fire arms, or illegal drugs.
Step 13: Travel by bus from Yangon to Chin State.
Step 14: Reintegration cash assistance to be provided upon arrival in Chin State.
Please note that you may express that you have changed your mind and that you no longer desire to return any time in this process prior to travel.