Justice for Wildlife Malaysia (JWMYS), a small grassroots NGO dedicated to protecting Malaysia's unique and fragile wildlife, faces a daunting financial challenge. In the wake of a three-month freeze on at least two grants from Washington, the group is scrambling for new funding sources to sustain its crucial operations. This development has forced the organization, known for training conservationists and monitoring wildlife trafficking court cases, into a precarious position as it struggles to pay its staff.
The United States, the world's largest donor of aid, disbursed over US$72 billion in 2023. However, the recent freeze in funding has significantly impacted JWMYS's operations. The organization, which provides critical training for rangers and supports the enforcement of wildlife protection laws, now finds itself grappling with severe financial difficulties.
Arlina Ghani, co-founder of JWMYS, emphasized the challenges faced by the organization due to its reliance on grants.
"We have always relied on grants for our work. It is not sustainable nor ideal, but work such as ours is – while crucial – sadly not sexy."
- Arlina Ghani, co-founder of Justice for Wildlife Malaysia (JWMYS)
JWMYS's work is vital in the fight against wildlife trafficking, a pressing issue that threatens Malaysia's rich biodiversity. Despite having a contingency plan in place, Arlina Ghani acknowledges the inadequacy of these measures to cover salaries during this funding hiatus.
"We have a contingency, but it is simply not enough to cover the salaries we need for these three months."
- Arlina Ghani, co-founder of Justice for Wildlife Malaysia (JWMYS)
The organization's role in monitoring wildlife court cases and providing legal training to conservationists is indispensable. However, the funding constraints are putting these activities at risk, highlighting the urgent need for alternative financial support.
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