© UNHCR
OTTAWA — In partnership with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, Canada will provide support for a new project aimed at enhancing the protection and integration of Haitian and Afghan refugees and forcibly displaced populations in Brazil.
Brazil has been at the forefront of addressing the needs of refugees, providing comprehensive state protection with access to a wide range of rights and services. The country currently hosts over 730,000 displaced people — and while the majority come from Venezuela, Brazil has recently seen an increase in arrivals from other nationalities, such as Afghans and Haitians, putting pressure on local resources and reception capacities.
In response to the needs of Haitians and Afghans seeking refuge in Brazil, UNHCR is providing support to the Brazilian government’s initiatives for the protection and local integration of these populations. This joint project, which builds on the country’s leading role in safeguarding refugee rights, will address the evolving and increasing needs of arrivals from diverse national backgrounds, as well as ensure the integration and stability of those who have settled in Brazil, preventing risky and unsafe secondary movements.
Haitians in Brazil have faced difficulties in integrating due to various factors, including the language barrier and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which have led many to undertake dangerous journeys in search of better opportunities elsewhere in the region. In the framework of the government-led “Action Plan for Strengthening the Protection and Local Integration of the Haitian Population in Brazil”, UNHCR’s assistance will provide technical support to improve access to rights and services, local integration through language classes and vocational training, job placement, and community empowerment programs.
Additionally, Brazil’s humanitarian visa policy has allowed nearly 13,780 Afghan refugees to find safety in Brazil, but challenges in adapting the country’s reception and integration systems remain. This project aims to improve the quality and availability of local integration services to ensure they receive comprehensive support tailored to their specific needs, enabling them to live with dignity in Brazil. This includes activities like facilitating access to decent employment opportunities and taking measures to prevent xenophobia.
Canada’s support for these projects underscores its commitment to promoting the inclusion of refugees and displaced populations. In partnership with UNHCR, Canada aims to contribute to the efforts of the Brazilian government in supporting diverse communities hosted within its borders.
For media inquiries, please contact:
- In Ottawa, Levon Sevunts, sevunts@unhcr.org, +1 613 286 6975
- In Brasília, Miguel Pachioni, pachioni@unhcr.org, +55 (61) 99914-4049
