Refugee support services in Brazil: what are they and who is responsible?

Refugee support services in Brazil vary greatly by city or state. This article will help you find the information you need to seek assistance.

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Immigrant Records in Brazil and the Importance of Refugee Support Services

Starting in 2000, there was a strong wave of immigration to Brazil, driven by events in the global political and economic landscape, such as:

• Political and economic crises, as well as climate change and catastrophes in Haiti;
• Changes in China’s economy;
• Strengthening ties with African countries;
• Armed conflict in Syria;
• Economic crisis in Venezuela.

These international factors triggered a massive migration of people — both immigrants and refugees — to other countries. One of the countries impacted by this scenario was Brazil, which between 2010 and 2018 received more than 500,000 immigrants and 116,400 asylum applications.

In this sense, Brazil’s positioning in the world and the restrictions imposed by European countries attracted more immigrants and refugees to Brazil. This way, they have the opportunity to achieve legal status and contribute significantly to a wide range of fields and businesses. This is the case for the thousands of Brazilians who wish to move abroad in search of conditions and lifestyles different from those here.

That’s why it’s so important to have support services for refugees, so they can integrate into society and feel safe in their chosen places.

Where do these immigrants go?

According to data from the Federal Police, immigrants and refugees are present in 3,876 of Brazil’s 5,568 municipalities. Most immigrants seek out cities like São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Boa Vista, and the Federal District. However, cities like Curitiba, Manaus, Macaé, Porto Alegre, and Florianópolis are also targets of the migratory flow.

Immigrants tend to go to these locations seeking the job opportunities they provide. Furthermore, they are also known for providing a better quality of life for their residents.

However, these cities sometimes have a large supply of labor, sometimes highly qualified, making it difficult for them to enter the job market. Another point to consider is that these cities often have a higher cost of living, depending on the region where they will reside.

Are municipalities prepared with support services for refugees?

The answer is no. According to research by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), only 5.5% of municipalities with immigrant and refugee populations offer support services for them. This means that only 215 cities offer any type of specific service for this population.

Although a law was published in May 2017 specifically for the reception of immigrants (Immigration Law), the implementation of this policy remains significantly weak.

Support services available in these municipalities include: public associations or collectives to mediate relationships with local public services, Portuguese language courses, multilingual services in public services, shelters for those without a home, referral and support centers, and professional training/qualification.

Information about refugee support services in Brazil

For immigrants to integrate into society and work under favorable conditions, they often require legal guidance, psychological assistance, or even childcare. To this end, organizations have been created to address various issues involving immigrant integration and protection, providing direct support services for refugees in Brazil.

The number and types of services offered to this population are still limited, considering the size of the territory, as immigrants live in different regions of Brazil. Therefore, it is necessary to create and strengthen other services.

There are several institutions that offer voluntary assistance services.

Among them are the Institute of Migration and Human Rights (IMDH), the Humanized Assistance Center for Migrants, the Humanitarian Center for Women’s Support (CHAME), among others.

Also listed are organizations in Brazil that address the issue of immigrants abroad.

But be careful, the organizations and entities listed in the link above, about the refugee support service in Brazil, are independent, that is, they are not officially linked to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Immigrant Association: Why is it necessary?

According to the IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics), the existence of an immigrant association has a significant impact on the integration of immigrants and refugees into society. A collective approach to liaising with government authorities is crucial. Unfortunately, of all the municipalities with immigrant populations, only 81 have an association to assist these individuals.

Furthermore, aside from refugee support services, these collective spaces and associations are important for exercising democracy within government bodies. Immigrants and refugees do not have the right to political participation, meaning they cannot vote or be voted for in elections.

One point that draws attention is the distribution of these collective assistance centers for immigrants and refugees, as most are concentrated in the South and Southeast regions of the country. Very few are located in the North and Northeast.

Among the cities with the largest immigrant population, São Paulo offers training and development for public servants focused on serving immigrants and refugees. Rio de Janeiro offers language courses and maintains relationships with local associations and groups. Brasília, on the other hand, offers only shelter and nothing more.

Whose responsibility is it to provide support?

The three branches of Government (Federal, State, and Municipal) are responsible for managing migration issues. Therefore, these branches must manage through mutual cooperation mechanisms. In this case, the Federal branch is responsible for entry and exit, the regularization and regulation of migrants and refugees, and international cooperation.

The State and Municipal branches must offer services to individuals, such as language instruction, housing, and opportunities for job creation and income generation. However, these services must be aligned with federal government policies and support.

One of the most basic services a municipality can offer, such as Portuguese language courses, is still scarce in localities. Only 48 municipalities offer this option for immigrants and refugees — a very small number considering the real need. This is one of the challenges currently facing the government, as well as individuals who choose Brazil as their home.

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