Bibi Rahimi once had a semblance of hope, albeit thin. With just $4 a day—an amount far too small for any meaningful survival—she managed to stretch her days in Indonesia as a refugee from Afghanistan. But when that small lifeline was cut off by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), her world came crashing down.
Bibi, like over 850 other vulnerable refugees in Indonesia, now faces a grim future without financial aid. What happens when the little you have is taken away? For Bibi, it means homelessness, hunger, and an uncertain tomorrow.
Her story is one of thousands. Indonesia, home to over 12,000 refugees from countries like Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar, has become a waiting room for displaced people who have nowhere else to go. Yet, the system that once provided them with meager stipends has been gutted, leaving many refugees in dire straits. Without the ability to work legally in Indonesia, and no path to resettlement, these refugees are left in a state of limbo—without hope, and now, without money.
A Crisis of Survival: Staggering Statistics
As of mid-2024, more than 850 refugees in Indonesia had their allowances completely cut by the UNHCR. An additional 380, deemed the most vulnerable—unaccompanied children, single mothers, the elderly, and the chronically ill—are next in line to lose their stipends by the end of the year. For many, this is not just a financial burden; it’s a matter of life and death. Mental health conditions among these communities have spiked, with reports showing that at least 18 refugees have taken their own lives in the past few years due to the unrelenting psychological pressure.
Why has the UNHCR, a global body tasked with supporting displaced persons, stopped its payments? It’s a matter of funding—or lack thereof. The organization simply doesn’t have the financial resources to continue supporting Indonesia’s refugees. With crises erupting worldwide—from Sudan to Myanmar and beyond—the UNHCR has had to make devastating choices about which populations to prioritize. Indonesia, unfortunately, didn’t make the cut.
The latest funding report from the UNHCR Indonesia office showed that donors had contributed only half of the $20.2 million needed for 2024. The gap is immense, and the consequences are immediate.
Gebirah: Bringing Hope to the Hopeless
I just returned after two weeks from Indonesia and had the opportunity to meet with local NGO partners and representatives from the refugee community to explore how we might assist both financially and materially. What I witnessed was heartbreaking. Refugees are trapped, with no legal rights, no means to work, and no financial support. Yet, despite the difficulties, their spirit remains resilient.
Gebirah, a Singapore humanitarian organisation, is stepping in to help. We’re working to raise funds internally for emergency supplies—food, medical care, and basic necessities—for the most vulnerable refugees. Our goal is to provide immediate relief but also to build partnerships with NGOs and the UNHCR to work towards longer-term solutions.
"We know that we can't solve everything overnight, but we can’t stand by and watch people suffer like this," I shared after meeting with local communities. With the support of volunteers, we are planning more mission trips to Indonesia to continue our efforts, and we invite volunteers and partners to join us in this vital work.
What the World Needs to Know
While much of the global conversation has shifted to other crises, the situation in Indonesia remains a silent tragedy. Refugees like Bibi, who fled violence and persecution, now face a new form of injustice—abandonment by the very systems designed to protect them.
Indonesia, though offering refuge, has not signed the 1951 Refugee Convention, which means refugees have no legal standing to work or integrate into society. They are stuck in a never-ending cycle of waiting, without any agency over their futures.
The humanitarian sector, corporate partners, government entities, and individuals have a responsibility to step in where others cannot. Civil society groups are working tirelessly to raise local funds, and organizations like Gebirah are doing everything they can to mobilize international support.
How You Can Help
The crisis in Indonesia may not be front-page news, but it’s a crisis nonetheless. Refugees—some of the most vulnerable people in the world—are being forced to survive with nothing. Gebirah, along with its partners, invites anyone willing to make a difference to join us.
Whether you’re in the humanitarian field, corporate sector, or simply someone with a heart for helping, your involvement can make a world of difference.
We need collaborators, volunteers, and donors who can help us bring life-saving supplies to those who need them most. Together, we can ensure that refugees like Bibi don’t just survive but are given the dignity and support they deserve.
If you’re interested in joining us in this critical mission, please reach out today.
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