Sometimes, a single act of kindness is all it takes to begin something bigger than ourselves. In 2013, Tabung Amanah Hati Nusantara (TAHN) embarked on its first-ever humanitarian mission—providing food aid to Rohingya refugees in Malaysia. It was a moment of urgency, a time when the world was just beginning to understand the depth of the suffering faced by the Rohingya people.
That year, the violence against the Rohingya in Myanmar escalated rapidly. Their homes were burned, their families torn apart, their very identity denied. With no citizenship, no rights, and nowhere to go, many made the desperate journey to Malaysia, seeking safety and the chance to simply exist in peace.
When the first waves of refugees arrived, they had nothing—no food, no shelter, no means to survive. It was clear that something had to be done.
Emergency Aid in a Time of Crisis
Seeing the urgent need, TAHN took its first steps as a humanitarian organization, raising funds to provide essential food baskets to Rohingya families in Malaysia. With your generosity, we were able to purchase rice, oil, flour, and even baby formula for young children in need.
This effort coincided with the blessed month of Ramadan, a time when giving takes on a deeper meaning. The contributions of kind-hearted Malaysians not only provided food for iftar and sahur but also helped support the Rohingya Society Malaysia’s Eid-ul Fitr programme—giving these refugees a chance to experience even a small sense of normalcy in their new, uncertain lives.
It was a small initiative, but for those who received the aid, it was everything.
A Crisis That Cannot Be Ignored
Back in 2013, the world was only just beginning to pay attention to the atrocities unfolding in Myanmar. Many did not yet understand who the Rohingya were, or why they were fleeing. But we saw them. We heard their stories. We knew their pain.
These families arrived scarred by trauma, carrying the weight of unspeakable horrors. Many had lost loved ones, their villages reduced to ashes. They had no papers, no official status, no place to call home. Malaysia, for them, was a refuge—but not yet a home.
TAHN knew this food aid was only the beginning.
A Call to Stand with the Rohingya
This first initiative proved something important—Malaysians care. The overwhelming support we received showed that compassion has no borders.
As the Rohingya community continues to grow in Malaysia, we hope more will come forward to welcome our new guests, help them settle in, and give them the dignity they deserve. This is not just a humanitarian issue; it is a test of our humanity.
To everyone who contributed in 2013—thank you. Your generosity helped lay the foundation for years of humanitarian work that followed. And to those reading this now, we ask: Will you stand with the Rohingya? Will you be part of the solution?
May Allah bless everyone who gave, and may we continue to serve those in need, for as long as they need us. Ameen.
The atrocious spurt of violence in Myanmar saw and increased amount of refugees fleeing into Malaysia seeking a safe haven in 2013. In response to the amplified number of refugees, TAHN collected funds to buy basic necessities for the families including baby formula.
This occurred coincidentally close to the blessed month of Ramadhan. Your benevolence during this time enabled TAHN with the much needed resources to assist in RSM’s iftar and eventually Eid-ul Fitr programmes.
EN 
MS