Brazil gives new life opportunities to more than 19,000 Venezuelans immigrants
Through the Federal Government program, more than 19,000 immigrants were interned in 645 Brazilian cities.
Jan 18, Sao Paulo: Seeking better conditions, opportunities and freedom to live, Venezuelan Jonathan Perez chose Brazil to start over. After losing his job and seeing his country of origin enter a state of misery, Jonathan went after a dignified life for him, his wife and four children. After spending time in shelters installed by the Brazilian Government in Boa Vista (RR), in 2020 he received a job opening in Curitiba (PR) through the Federal Government's Operation Operation.
“Venezuela's situation is unfortunate. Here in Brazil, I feel welcomed and I am grateful for this receptivity. Everyone who arrives here has the desire to get an opportunity and I did it, so I am happy, mainly because I will be able to be in a free place with my family, where we can express what we feel, eat what we want ”, says Jonathan moved in flight to Curitiba. “In Venezuela, you cannot eat, you cannot have two meals a day. We are afraid to walk on the street or say anything. Here I can work and offer my family a dignified life ”, he added.
The report is from one of the 19,300 Venezuelans who arrived in Brazil and were sheltered and internalized by Operation Welcomed in 2020. The Federal Government's action was developed to receive, shelter and protect Venezuelan refugees from the crisis caused by the dictatorial regime in the country neighbour. In all, since 2018, 46,500 Venezuelan migrants have been interned in 645 Brazilian cities in all regions of the country. Of these, 41.6 thousand had this opportunity in the current administration of the Federal Government. The municipalities that received the newest residents were Manaus (4,931), Curitiba (3,073) and São Paulo (3,033).
Socioeconomic inclusion
The Federal Subcommittee on Interiorization, coordinated by the Ministry of Citizenship, is responsible for approving the transfer of immigrants from border cities (Pacaraima and Roraima) to other Brazilian states. This is the main strategy of the Brazilian Government to promote the socioeconomic inclusion of those who arrive.
“Interiorization is the main differential of this operation. We offer our Venezuelan brothers the possibility to start over and continue their lives on their own. Brazil has a history of solidarity. The Bolsonaro government extends its hand here in Latin America to our brothers, ”said Minister of Citizenship, Onyx Lorenzoni.
Having been interned for two years, Venezuelan William Pirez started his life again in Florianópolis (SC), with his wife. He says that he left the country due to the poor living, health and economic conditions, and it was in Brazil that he found an opportunity to start over. Graduated in food engineering, today he works in a supermarket chain but has already started to invest in his own production.
“I had my product network in Venezuela, but we got to the point where it was impossible to stay. Misery has come for everyone. I was very well received in Brazil, I love Florianópolis and I don't want to be a burden here. On the contrary, I think that I can contribute to this country with my work, ”said William, who has already started a small company and today sells products such as jams, peppers and spices.
Rights subjects
Migrants and refugees are recognized as subjects of rights and all actors of interiorization work so that displacement occurs in a voluntary, informed, safe and dignified manner. In Brazil, more than 265,000 Venezuelan migrants and refugees have applied for migratory regularization.
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