Malaysia — humanitarian situation

Malaysia has experienced recurrent natural disasters and weather-related emergencies throughout recent months while serving as a host country within broader regional migration dynamics. Between mid-April and mid-June 2026, the country faced multiple disaster events including floods, landslides, storms, and wind-related incidents, as documented in successive weekly reports (AHA Centre). Most notably, heavy rainfall in mid-May affected Peninsular Malaysia, particularly Johor and Kedah states, displacing 359 people who were sheltered in evacuation centres across Pontian and Kuala Muda districts (ECHO). Earlier in May, severe weather characterized by storms and strong winds displaced an additional 206 people in Johor and Selangor (ECHO). A major fire on 19 April 2026 destroyed large portions of Kampung Bahagia, a densely populated water village in Sandakan District, Sabah, with the informal wooden stilt housing and narrow spacing between structures enabling rapid fire spread (IFRC). Malaysia remains part of the broader Myanmar displacement situation affecting Southeast Asia, with 1.6 million refugees and asylum-seekers from Myanmar recorded across the region as of end-March 2026 (UNHCR). The country is identified as a key destination within intraregional mixed migration routes across the Asia-Pacific region (IOM). The Myanmar crisis response faces significant funding constraints, with global attention and resources diverted to other emergencies, particularly the Middle East crisis, straining an already underfunded response at a time of rising needs (UNHCR). The recurring pattern of floods, storms, and wind-related disasters across multiple weeks suggests ongoing vulnerability to weather-related hazards during the pre-monsoon and early monsoon period. The April fire incident in Sandakan highlights protection concerns in informal settlements where construction materials and settlement patterns create heightened disaster risk. Forecasts during multiple reporting periods indicated continued thunderstorms, heavy rain, and strong winds, suggesting sustained exposure to weather-related displacement triggers throughout this timeframe.