Created by the United Nations (UN) on July 11, 1990, when the Earth’s population reached the five billion mark, World Population Day aims to recognize the importance of demographic policies in the socio-economic development of countries and to raise awareness of the various issues related to population.
This year’s theme is Leave no one behind, everyone counts. The Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Dr. Natalia Kanem, in her statement on this date, points out: “For humanity to progress, people must be counted, wherever and whoever they are – in all their diversity. To end inequality, to find and increase peace and prosperity, to weave more threads of hope, the world needs to do more for inclusion. Not to be counted is to be invisibilized and, as a result, to be underserved by policies and services…”
REFUGEES IN NUMBERS
Population Day 2024 proposes a question about who is still not counted and why. As far as the refugee and migrant population is concerned, this data is fundamental for meeting the needs of refugees and for planning humanitarian responses.
According to UN figures, by 2023 more than 117 million people were living as refugees around the world. Of these, 560,000 are Venezuelans. Brazil is home to almost ten thousand indigenous refugees and migrants. In Roraima, as it is the main gateway for migration, many of them live in the capital, Boa Vista.
FRATERNITY – HUMANITARIAN MISSIONS (FIHM) WELCOMES REFUGEES
In this context, we would like to highlight the transformative work carried out by the Fraternity – International Humanitarian Missions (FIHM) with the indigenous migrant and refugee populations of Venezuela. Initially, the Fraternity – Humanitarian Missions (FIHM) welcomed the refugees with emergency actions. After this phase, the construction of lasting solutions has guided the organization’s actions.
The creation of the Indigenous Cultural and Training Centre (CCFI) in Boa Vista, RR, in 2021, is a reference in assisting the indigenous population with their livelihoods. The aim of the CCFI is to promote a safe and peaceful space in which indigenous migrants, refugees and local ethnic groups have the opportunity to build a more dignified life. To this end, the CCFI works to promote artistic and cultural expression, technical training, learning Portuguese and preparation for the job market, as well as indigenous entrepreneurship initiatives.
With the creation of the CCFI, the Fraternity – Humanitarian Missions (FIHM) aims to raise awareness of the importance of humanitarian support and the ongoing need for efforts to improve living conditions and promote the integration of migrant and refugee populations among themselves and with the local community.
ACTIVITIES DEVELOPED AT CCFI
Juan Diego, a volunteer humanitarian actor of the Fraternity – Humanitarian Missions (FIHM), reports on the activities being carried out at the CCFI, which involve training, intercultural actions and entrepreneurship. He also mentions the various partnerships made by the Fraternity – Humanitarian Missions (FIHM) with national and international organizations, the Humanitarian Logistics Task Force – Operation Welcome, carried out by the federal government, and also highlights the Mutual Cooperation Agreement signed with the Association of Indigenous Migrants of Roraima (AMIR), because it is an organization created by the indigenous people themselves and because of its relevance in promoting sustainable development, cultural preservation and strengthening the autonomy of these communities.
“In terms of training, the Fraternity – Humanitarian Missions (FIHM) offers language courses, which aim to integrate indigenous people into society; technology courses, which promote digital inclusion; and technical courses, which prepare indigenous people for the job market.”
With regard to interculturality, Juan highlights the Intercultural Indigenous Fair, which promotes integration between various ethnic groups and with the society of Boa Vista, as well as other countries. The Fair allows indigenous people to sell their own handicrafts.
Finally, Juan mentions the informal course for indigenous children and adolescents, coordinated by Professor Alberto Conejero, from the E’ñepa people, which is run in partnership with the Fraternity – Humanitarian Missions (FIHM). According to him, one of the aims of the course is to prepare students to study in formal schools.
WITH THE WORD, THE REFUGEES
Among the Venezuelan indigenous people living as refugees in Boa Vista is Euligio, a representative of the Warao peoples.
Euligio has been in the city for eight years and comments on the relationship between indigenous peoples and institutions, be they international, national or even local. For him, there is a lack of dialog between the parties. “Indigenous representatives are not invited to meetings with leaders. They simply speak on our behalf. It’s very important for us to take part in decision-making, in discussions and also to talk about our needs,” he says.
He talks about the challenges of living in another country. “It’s another culture. Another way of living. It’s painful. We’re fighting for our rights to offer our children something better in the future. The language makes it very difficult. We are human, we feel pain when we are mistreated and discriminated against. There are many needs, but we keep going with strength in God Almighty.”
Like Euligio, Juvencio Gomez Suarez, a Pemon Taurepang indigenous from the Ta’rau Paru community, says that he doesn’t have the opportunity to take part in assemblies to deal with indigenous issues. He asks the international community to open up more space for conversation. “In this way, we will disseminate information and raise awareness among our people. That’s what we want!” he emphasizes.
Regarding their primary needs, he says: “It concerns housing, which offers the conditions to recreate family life, grow food, raise animals and also have access to education, health and work. We can’t just rely on humanitarian aid, we have to start producing to meet our own needs.”
During the interview, Juvencio talks about the importance of the work carried out by the Fraternity – Humanitarian Missions (FIHM), through the Mutual Cooperation Agreement with the Association of Indigenous Migrants of Roraima (AMIR), as instruments for training and empowering indigenous people.
“On World Population Day I want to say a word of thanks, on behalf of my family and other indigenous brothers and sisters, to the Brazilian nation. And to say that we can contribute and we can put our knowledge into practice to be productive in society. Thank you very much,” concluded Juvencio.
