“Flexibility,” a watchword for whomever is active in a humanitarian response, was emphasized by Ricardo Baumgartner, primary missionary, during the meeting promoted by the Fraternity – International Humanitarian Federation (FFHI), on January 8.
The training was led by the teams that are active in the three shelters under the management of the Humanitarian Fraternity (FFHI) in Roraima, and in the Transitory Housing in Manaus (in this case, through internet transmission), comprised of volunteers, employees, monastics and collaborators of the Humanitarian Roraima Mission.
“When we are engaged in a humanitarian response, we can’t always be rigid in what we propose doing, which is to say, we need to be flexible to take care of what is needed at any given time,” reinforces Ricardo.
The objective of the meeting was to integrate, bring up to date, and inform the teams about past actions of the Humanitarian Fraternity (FFHI), its values and principles, and what its actions would be in 2021 within the context of the pandemic.
“It is very important, for those who are arriving or have been already active for some time in the Humanitarian Fraternity (FFHI) missions, to present the principles and values expressed in all areas and contexts. This brings a greater understanding of why we are always working in support of the Kingdoms of Nature, carrying out selfless service, altruistic and detached, which goes beyond the physical work,” we are told by Imer, primary missionary.
The administrative manager of the Roraima Mission, Marcelo Medeiros, believes that to know more about the line of action of the Humanitarian Fraternity (FFHI) in different missions, in various countries, helped in understanding the operation of the organization. “We were able to understand that all these missions helped to prepare the Humanitarian Fraternity (FFHI) in achieving a level of recognition on the part of national and international agencies, such as the UNHCR and the Brazilian Army.”
The challenges that are being faced in 2021
With the changes in the Roraima Mission, and the closing of the Nova Canaã and Tancredo Neves Shelters, the focus of the mission became exclusively directed toward the indigenous populations housed in the Pintolândia and Janokoida Shelters, and the recently opened Jardim Floresta Shelter.
The regional director of the Humanitarian Roraima Mission, Rafael Corbetta, affirms that one of the main challenges in 2021 will be in finding lasting solutions that go beyond providing shelter. “We are looking for bridges so that these people can rebuild their lives, mainly those who are looking to join the job market in Brazil,” he points out.
Rafael also talks about the importance, during the meeting, of presenting the reality of the Venezuelan indigenous forced to immigrate, and also to understand the cultural differences of the Warao, E’ñepa, Karina and Pemon tribes that are being sheltered by the Humanitarian Fraternity (FFHI)
“Each ethnic group is a different world, with its plurality and its different religious, food, customs and handicraft aspects,” he highlights.
Fernando Fileno, an anthropologist hired to act directly with the indigenous peoples, brought information on the history, culture, language and customs of the Warao and E’ñepa to the team. He reinforced the importance of knowing their cultures to better take care of them in their specific characteristics: “it is only by truly understanding what these populations want, understand about themselves and conceive of about this [refuge] experience, that it is possible to offer them qualified attention.”
