With the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, the number of refugees entering Brazil through Roraima has been increasing; it is now in the thousands. The Brazilian Government created the Acolhida (Welcome) Operation to face the challenges that have emerged. In Roraima, General Barros, commander of the Humanitarian Logistics Task Force – Operation Welcome, values the participation of the Fraternidade – International Humanitarian Federation (FIHF) as a partner for dealing with the situation.
The General was appointed to this position at the beginning of 2020 and in that short time he has already formed an opinion: “Of the relationship I have with the Fraternidade – International Humanitarian Federation (FIHF), I say: trust. I trust not because of the portfolio of the organization, but because of what I saw in the people involved. The partnership came from the trust. Behind me there are several soldiers, and behind each soldier there are various partners, such as the Fraternidade-Humanitárias (FIHF). We have to set up an invisible battalion that is behind all this structure that is working.”
The Fraternidade – International Humanitarian Federation (FIHF) offers the other partners, such as the Brazilian Army through the Acolhida (Welcome) Operation and the UNHCR (the UN’s Refugee Agency), a variable collaboration, especially in the management of people, in the daily life of the refugee shelters. It brings a human touch, art, and coexistence to the operational efficiency and professionalism of the other partners. In this way, those professionals, through the Fraternidade – International Humanitarian Federation (FIHF), can enter into contact with a different kind offor human activity.
The direct, receptive and attentive language spoken in the welcome, the openness, the willingness to share, to solve the problems, all of this is impregnating the climate of the shelters. It is visible to everyone, because it is not something based on theories; it is simple. A language accessible to anyone. The Missionaries of the Fraternidade – International Humanitarian Federation (FIHF) play with the children, do art, encourage the practice of sports, attend to the adults, create projects to solve basic needs, talk, encourage events. That is why their work is recognized by the partner organizations, as a synergy is created in the shelters between organizations that work together, each with its specific expertise, but all coming together to welcome refugees who need help.
