Operation Welcome
Operation Welcome has been ongoing since March 2018. AVSI has also been an implementing partner of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR) since June 2018. Through these two initiatives, AVSI has managed shelters, worked in partnership with other actors involved in the activities of the tents, strengthened committees and subgroups’ participation, and ensured fair distribution of food and other articles, among other activities.
“We have many challenges here, but they have been routinely overcome or at least circumvented,” says Heli. “We work with several other partners to give dignity to those refugees who, at the moment, are very vulnerable.”
Currently, AVSI manages four humanitarian shelters in Boa Vista, working with 32 professionals and 12 trainees, and benefiting about 2,800 Venezuelan refugees.
Integration Through Work
In addition to managing shelters in Roraima, AVSI took on the major challenge of helping integrate Venezuelans in Brazil. AVSI first provides help to Venezuelans upon their arrival at the reception centers. Then, offers families interested in staying in Brazil a package of support to integrate in different cities of Brazil for four months through the activity “Integration through Work”.
As part of “Integration through Work” and thanks to a partnership with local businesses, AVSI offers job opportunities for Venezuelan refugees. The welcoming package also includes furnished apartments, food, and personal hygiene products, Portuguese language courses, healthcare, and psychosocial support.