More that 2,700 people are cared for daily in the five shelters managed by the Roraima Mission, amidst the immigration crisis that has led thousands of Venezuelans to cross their borders in search of new opportunities.
The Roraima Mission is one of the permanent missions through which the Fraternidade – International Humanitarian Federation (FIHF) is active, attending to Venezuelan refugees, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, in Boa Vista since November 2016. At first, humanitarian support was offered with long days and nights of service to women, men, children, and the elderly: in the preparation of daily food, in basic care for health and hygiene, in the search for donations of groceries, in a welcoming fraternal presence.
As time went by and the migration increased, unexpectedly so for the city, the emergency humanitarian response in Roraima was expanded and today it is governed by a committee administered by the Ministry for Defense and by the Civil Office, which manage the Acolhida (Welcome) Operation, with the assistance of the Brazilian Armed Forces. Various agencies and governmental and non-governmental institutions have also joined that task-force.
In August 2017, in this very intense situation, the International Fraternidade (FIHF) signed an agreement with the UNHCR, as an implementing partner.
When they arrive at the border city, Pacaraima, RR, those requesting refuge are sent to a Screening Center, managed by the UNHCR. There they receive primary care, documentation for permanent residence in the country and, on assessing their condition of vulnerability, they are sent on to different shelters.
At this time, the Fraternidade International FIHF is involved in the administration of five of those: four in Boa Vista and one in Pacaraima. The work is to offer protection and direct assistance to those who are in a vulnerable situation, taking care of cases that may require greater attention and referrals in the area of physical and psychosocial health.
In addition, it coordinates the response “Livelihood,” with the implementation of courses for training, professional workshops, and Portuguese language classes.
“The Common Good” is another project developed by the Fraternidade International FIHF, which has already taken care of more than 2,500 children, and seeks to prepare refugee children and adolescents for entering the formal education system. When applied in the Indigenous context, this project has an intercultural dynamic relevant to the original peoples served.
The Fraternidade International FIHF also was and continues to be active in programs connected with other institutions, such as: UNICEF, IOM (International Organization for Migration), PAHO (Pan-American Health Organization), IOHR (International Organization for Human Rights), embassies of other countries, among others.
These partners observe and mention that the intensive and selfless giving of the missionaries in the daily activities of the mission, as well as the humanitarian spirit that they disseminate, brings hope and a reflection about possible new ways in the area of responses in situations of humanitarian crises.
Learn about and follow the Roraima Mission by clicking here.
