For almost 10 years, thousands of Venezuelans have been crossing the border into Brazil, fleeing unemployment, the education crisis, food shortages and political instability. Pacaraima and Boa Vista, both cities in Roraima region, are the main entry points for these migrants who come to the country in search of opportunities. Brazil is the third country in Latin America that has received the most migrants, behind only Colombia and Peru.

Since 2018, ADRA Brazil, the Adventist humanitarian organization in Brazil, has implemented seven projects aimed at assisting migrants. The projects, focused on food security, sanitation, and hygiene, as well as shelter and relocation support, are the result of a partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

For this work to be carried out consistently and to be able to adapt to changing demands as the days go by, Telma McGeogh, manager of monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning for ADRA Brazil focused on migrants, explains that monitoring is essential.

“The first task we have is always to go to the location, verify and assess the needs that exist at that moment, and then create a response that is compatible with that specific need. [….] Since 2018, we have served more than 270 thousand people. As a result, more than 30 million dollars have been invested in this type of response. The beneficiary is the protagonist, so monitoring has the role of understanding how satisfied they are with the projects, what needs they themselves identify, and then passing this on to the programmatic part of the project, which will make decisions about, perhaps, changing or continuing along the same lines,” explains McGeogh.

ADRA Brazil, in partnership with ADRA Rio Grande do Sul, organized a photography exhibition in the second half of January to showcase the results of their initiatives responding to the migration crisis in Venezuela. The exhibition featured images that highlighted the organization's various efforts and aimed to attract more support from individuals interested in their work. The event took place at Adventist School Marechal Rondon, in the northern part of Porto Alegre.

The Director of ADRA Brazil Jorge Wiebusch, also emphasizes that holding this exhibition in Rio Grande do Sul is important to raise awareness of the agency's work carried out on the other side of the country.

"Here in Rio Grande do Sul, we have more than 480 employees and an exhibition like this allows them to know exactly the breadth and magnitude of ADRA Brazil's work in our country. I am very happy that this project has begun here in Brazil," celebrates the regional leader.

Stories Pedro Rafael Salazar's were told through the images that were captured. Pedro, originally from the state of Anzoátegui, is one of the many Venezuelans who lived in an unsatisfactory life situation.

“In Venezuela, the situation was a bit difficult. I didn’t have a good job [due to the crisis], there was no food, no money, and my family was also suffering. This led us to emigrate and arrive in Boa Vista, where we had a new beginning, but in a different situation. At first, it was very difficult. We were on the streets, sleeping in the bus station, on the floor, on pieces of cardboard,” says the migrant.

Through the work of ADRA Brazil, Salazar saw an opportunity to start over. One of the projects carried out in Boa Vista by the Adventist humanitarian agency provided around 2,000 meals a day to refugees from the neighboring country.

From there, he learned about other projects and was able to take a professional cooking course. And that was when he met Cristiano Freitas, an ADRA Brazil volunteer who was temporarily in the state but lived in Rio Grande (RS).

In addition to providing immediate food and vouchers for the purchase of basic survival items, ADRA Brazil also works with a relocation project, SWAN, supporting Venezuelans in their search for a new job and paid housing for a few months.

“With SWAN, the family leaves here with a confirmed job and we provide interviews, resumes, and support throughout the selection process. And it wasn’t just a job, but also other benefits that favor a better subsistence condition, adaptation to a new culture, context, and access to health care,” explains Verona Moura, coordinator of projects such as Providência, which takes place in Roraima with Venezuelans.

After learning about the SWAN project, Freitas contacted business owners from a supermarket in Rio Grande do Sul and managed to direct some refugee families to the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Salazar and his family were among the names. He and others were put on a Brazilian Air Force plane and taken to the state.

Initiatives like these reflect the organization’s commitment to addressing the challenges faced by displaced populations. As explained by ADRA Brazil’s Social Projects Coordinator, André Alencar, this assistance helps those facing difficult times to glimpse dignity and hope once again.

“ADRA does all of this because it was created by the Adventist Church to fulfill a purpose of serving humanity so that everyone can live as God intended. What we are talking about is a very dignified and honorable life for all of God’s creatures. And we do this driven by justice, compassion, and love,” he explains.

The original article was published on the South American Division Portuguese website.