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Operational Context & Analysis
Brazil has in place a progressive and inclusive protection and solutions framework for refugees and other forcibly displaced individuals, ensuring equal access to rights and services alongside its national citizens. With an open-border policy, Brazil guarantees the admission, registration, and documentation of those in need of international protection. Brazil hosts the largest number of Venezuelans recognized as refugees in Latin America and the Caribbean.
As of July 2024, Brazil has recognized 144.463 refugees and provided alternative protection pathways to 572.877 persons in need of international protection, the majority of whom are Venezuelan (474.217) and Haitian (89.455) nationals. Additionally, there are 75,998 pending asylum applications, primarily from individuals originating from Cuba (26.225), Venezuela (15.065) and Angola (8.696).
Brazil stands as a regional leader, implementing prima facie simplified refugee status determination procedures under the regional refugee definition of the 1984 Cartagena Declaration (contemplated in its national legislation as those fleeing serious human rights violations) for individuals from Venezuela, Burkina Faso, Iraq, Mali and Syria. The National Committee for Refugees (CONARE) has also granted refugee protection to individuals persecuted due to their diverse sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as women and girls at risk of female genital mutilation.
Furthermore, Brazil has established a humanitarian visa and temporary residence permit policy for nationals of Afghanistan, Haiti, Syria, and Ukraine. Temporary residence permits are also available for Venezuelans who choose not to apply for asylum, ensuring access to protection and legal status for a wide range of individuals in need.
In Brazil, refugees can choose between accessing the asylum system or applying for a residency as a complementary form of protection. Both options ensure freedom of movement, access to formal employment, education, healthcare, and social assistance. However, only those who apply for asylum are explicitly safeguarded against refoulement, eligible to obtain travel documents, granted expedite access to naturalization, and exempt from presenting documents from their country of origin in various civil procedures. These additional safeguards significantly ease their integration into Brazilian society.
Despite an overall favorable environment, the proportion of those living below the national poverty line is still considerable, especially if compared with host communities (40% vs 30%). Research conducted by UNHCR and other institutions indicates that refugees in Brazil experience higher rates of unemployment, informality, and underemployment compared to the local population, alongside lower average wages.
Over 11,000 indigenous Venezuelans currently residing in Brazil have been identified by UNHCR and partners. Compared to the overall Venezuelan population, they face compounded challenges accessing basic rights and services, including higher rates of food insecurity (58% vs 52%), health care needs (75% vs 59%) and out of school children (21% vs 15%). Language barriers and limited formal education of adults (indigenous refugees are 5 times more likely to have no formal education when compared to the general Venezuelan population in Brazil), significantly affect their prospects for successful integration.