The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have reported that the Brazilian voluntary relocation strategy of Venezuelan refugees and migrants has benefited more than 100,000 people since it began five years ago.
According to information from the Brazilian Ministry of Social Development, Assistance, Family and Fight against Hunger, almost a quarter of the 425,000 Venezuelans living in Brazil have moved from the border state of Roraima to more than 930 cities around the world. country, where they have been able to find opportunities for improve their quality of life and integrate into their host community. Around 80% of the beneficiaries are women and minors.
A strategy to ensure protection and integration
“The relocation strategy guarantees protection and inclusion, offering effective ways for the Venezuelan population in the country to restart their lives with dignity,” declared the UNHCR representative in Brazil. In addition, Davide Torzilli explained that, based on close collaboration between various institutions and organizations, the strategy represents an effective and a model for the region and the world.
Before traveling to their destination cities, people who voluntarily participate in the internal relocation strategy receive the necessary documentationwhich includes the national work permit and registration in the taxpayer registry.
“Strengthening and improving inclusion through the relocation strategy is crucial for people who have decided to stay in Brazil,” said the head of mission of the IOM in Brazil. “With the support of local governments, civil society organizations and the private sector, it is possible to promote lasting inclusion, which allows Venezuelans to break stereotypes, create solutions and contribute to the development of host communities”, highlighted Stéphane Rostiaux.
A Venezuelan girl waits for immigration procedures in Pacaraima, a city in northern Brazil, located on the other side of the border with Venezuela.
Foster Operation
The internal relocation strategy was launched in 2018 as part of Operation Welcome, the Brazilian government’s humanitarian response to the arrival of refugees and migrants from Venezuela. Internal relocation offers vital assistance and fosters integration by helping people find new job opportunities or meeting with relatives or friends in other parts of the country.
In a survey conducted in 2021 among 2,000 Venezuelan migrants, eight out of 10 adults claimed to have found a job or started their own business, or have a better access to formal jobs, housing and education programs after being relocated.
These initiatives have the support of the Interagency Coordination Platform for Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela (R4V), co-led by the UN Refugee Agency and the International Organization for Migration, in which 55 civil society organizations participate. and other United Nations agencies in Brazil. The municipalities that receive the relocated Venezuelan population also support the initiative.
