Examining how Brazil finances its response to Venezuelan displacement offers critical insights into the effectiveness of these mechanisms. It also raises important questions about migration, aid and human rights protection policies.

Latin America has witnessed significant geopolitical and economic shifts over the past decade, with the crisis in Venezuela standing out as a critical destabilising factor with far-reaching implications. Since 2017, Venezuela has faced a severe economic downturn, marked by hyperinflation, political turmoil and shortages of essential goods, leading to a humanitarian crisis. This crisis has strained Venezuela’s social fabric and triggered one of the most significant migration flows in Latin American history, with millions seeking refuge across the region, particularly in Brazil.

Brazil, in response, has become a primary host for displaced Venezuelans, posing both challenges and opportunities for the country. Brazil is home to over 501,000 Venezuelans (as of August 2023 according to ACAPS), making Venezuela the main country of origin for immigrants in Brazil. Brazil recognises the majority of displaced Venezuelans as refugees and also has procedures in place for displaced Venezuelans to gain more permanent residency status.[i]

The influx of Venezuelan refugees has necessitated a robust and coordinated displacement response, underpinned by a complex web of financial mechanisms. These mechanisms are not merely logistical or economic tools but are deeply tied to issues of international cooperation, regional stability and the protection of human rights. Dissecting these financial strategies to understand their impacts, uncover their shortcomings and explore potential improvements will ensure that the response not only addresses immediate needs but also fosters long-term integration and stability.

Brazil’s financial response to the Venezuelan displacement crisis

Brazil’s financial response to the Venezuelan displacement crisis has been comprehensive and strategic, involving multiple layers of funding and collaboration. The Brazilian government has committed substantial financial resources to support initiatives like Operation Welcome, which provides essential services, including documentation, immediate shelter and relocation programmes for Venezuelan migrants. This national effort has been significantly bolstered by international aid from organisations such as UNHCR and contributions from various foreign governments including the US, Canada and the European Union, enhancing the capacity and sustainability of the response.

Further enriching these efforts, partnerships with NGOs and private entities have broadened the scope and effectiveness of the initiatives. These collaborations have facilitated a range of services, from job placement assistance to cultural integration programmes, addressing both immediate needs and long-term integration goals for the migrants. For instance, NGOs like the AVSI Foundation and Instituto +58 have played a crucial role in providing language lessons, professional training and legal assistance, helping Venezuelans navigate the complexities of integration in a new country. USAID, the International Organization for Migration and international diplomatic missions in the country have also contributed with several resources, including nearly USD15 million in development funding.

Innovative financing mechanisms, particularly public-private partnerships, have been pivotal in adapting and expanding the displacement response. These partnerships have enabled a more flexible and rapid deployment of resources, meeting the dynamic needs of the Venezuelan population in Brazil.

These modern financial strategies have effectively disrupted traditional, solely government-led models of humanitarian response. They have introduced a more decentralised approach that allows for tailored services that directly benefit displaced Venezuelans. This shift has resulted in a more efficient use of resources and a greater impact on the welfare and integration of Venezuelans into Brazilian society. Through these multifaceted funding efforts, Brazil is demonstrating a proactive and humane approach to managing one of the most significant displacement crises in the region.

The interiorisation strategy: relocating Venezuelans within Brazil

Brazil’s response to the Venezuelan migration crisis has been multifaceted, but a key initiative has been the interiorisation strategy. This programme, launched to manage the influx of refugees, aims to redistribute displaced Venezuelans from the overwhelmed border state of Roraima to other parts of Brazil. The strategy has facilitated access to better opportunities and integration into the formal labour market, significantly easing the initial burden on border regions. By providing logistical support such as transportation, documentation and initial housing assistance, the strategy has not only dispersed the demographic and economic impact across Brazil but also promoted the long-term integration of Venezuelans, allowing them to contribute to Brazil’s economic diversity while rebuilding their lives under more stable conditions.

This strategic relocation has been vital not only for reducing overcrowding in Roraima State and surrounding areas but also for promoting better social and economic integration of Venezuelans throughout Brazil. The success of the interiorisation programme, as indicated by the substantial number of Venezuelans who have participated, reflects its effectiveness in helping refugees establish new lives in regions with more employment opportunities and better living conditions. This approach not only supports the refugees but also distributes the benefits and challenges of immigration more evenly across Brazil’s vast territory.

By integrating private companies into the interiorisation programme, the Brazilian government has successfully leveraged corporate social responsibility funds to provide targeted vocational training and employment opportunities for relocated Venezuelans. For example, Adami S/A, a packaging and wood company in Santa Catarina hired 36 Venezuelan refugees who were relocated from Roraima, providing them not only with jobs but also with housing, social support and technical training through the Acolhidos por Meio do Trabalho (Welcomed through work) project. This targeted approach not only accelerates the refugees’ integration but also supports their long-term economic stability and social inclusion.

Providing legal support for Venezuelans in Brazil

One notable initiative in response to the Venezuelan displacement crisis is the Justicia sin Fronteras (Justice without Borders) programme, managed by the Tribunal de Justiça de Roraima (Roraima State Court of Justice) in partnership with the Venezuelan judge Oswaldo José Ponce Pérez who now lives in the country. This programme offers Venezuelan immigrants civil resolution services directly related to issues such as paternity recognition, stable union recognition, child support and custody of minors. Additionally, it handles requests like birth registration for children born in Brazil, corrections to documentation, emancipation (the process by which a person under 18 becomes legally free from their parents or guardians) and other civil judiciary matters.

The initiative emerged as a collaborative response to the growing immigration issues in Roraima State, facilitated by a judicial cooperation agreement with UNHCR. This partnership allows proceedings to be conducted in Spanish, accommodating the linguistic needs of Venezuelan refugees. The programme plays a vital role in Brazil’s displacement response by easing the financial strain on public resources. It resolves key civil issues that are essential for Venezuelans’ integration into society. This support enables displaced individuals to more easily access employment, education and social services, reducing their reliance on emergency aid and other state-funded resources. In doing so, the programme not only meets immediate legal needs but also helps ensure a more sustainable and cost-effective approach to managing the displacement crisis in Brazil.

Implications and learning

The examination of Brazil’s financing strategies in response to the Venezuelan displacement crisis reveals a complex yet innovative approach that combines government action, international cooperation and private sector engagement. This blend has not only supported immediate humanitarian needs but also facilitated the longer-term integration of Venezuelan migrants into Brazilian society. However, the reliance on diverse funding streams and partnerships also presents challenges, including the need for sustained commitment from all stakeholders and continuous adaptation to refugees changing needs.

The implications of these findings are profound for both policy and practice. They suggest that a holistic, multi-stakeholder approach can enhance the effectiveness of displacement response financing. However, there is a need for further research to optimise these mechanisms and ensure they are scalable and sustainable.

As global displacement issues continue to evolve, there is an urgent need for more inclusive, innovative and community-driven financing solutions. It is crucial for countries around the world to learn from Brazil’s experiences and explore similar collaborative models that not only address immediate crises but also support the long-term well-being of displaced populations. Such efforts should aim to foster resilience, promote social inclusion and ensure that all individuals have the opportunity to contribute positively to their new communities.

 

Cláudio Antônio Klaus Júnior
Global Professional Master of Laws student at the University of Toronto, Canada; and Professor, Universidade Alto Vale do Rio do Peixe, Brazil
claudio.klaus@mail.utoronto.ca
linkedin.com/in/claudioklaus

 

[i] See Migration Policy Centre (2022) ‘Migrants or refugees? “Let’s do both”. Brazil’s response to Venezuelan displacement challenges legal definitions’ bit.ly/mpc-migrants-or-refugees-lets-do-both

 

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