The global humanitarian crisis reached, in 2024, a striking figure of 120 million people\u2014men, women and children, who account for 40% of this total. Shipwrecks of boats carrying migrants from Africa and the Middle East to Europe are increasingly frequent, the result of wars, conflicts, hunger, climate disasters, and ethnic and religious persecution.<\/p>\n
The migration crisis has forced people from different countries to move to Brazil, such as Syrians, Venezuelans, Angolans, Haitians, Ukrainians, Afghans, Palestinians, and others. According to SISMigra\u00b9 and SISCONARE\u00b2 (07\/01\/2024), there are more than 790 thousand people in Brazil in need of international protection, including more than 140 thousand recognized refugees, 75 thousand asylum seekers, and 10 stateless persons.<\/b><\/p>\n
The crisis at S\u00e3o Paulo\/Guarulhos International Airport has become a visible portrait of the global humanitarian crisis, directly affecting Brazilian migration policy. Initially, the flow of people from Afghanistan increased, followed by migrants from Southeast Asia\u2014mainly India\u2014and from the African continent, all seeking recognition of refugee status. Sadly, there was the death of the 39-year-old Ghanaian, Evans, due to a severe infection.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/aliancaevangelica.org.br\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/image001.png\")
\n(Photo: Afghan refugees at Guarulhos Airport while they wait for places in reception centers<\/i> \u2013 source: Estad\u00e3o)<\/i><\/p>\n
Associa\u00e7\u00e3o CASA, which serves migrants and refugees, was called upon in 2022, when the \u201cfirst crisis\u201d at Guarulhos Airport broke out. Through the Ministry Order\u00b3, the Brazilian government issued 7,000 humanitarian visas for Afghans fleeing the Taliban regime who arrived in Brazil. Most were men, but there were also women and children, who made the airport of Brazil\u2019s largest city their place of residence. The unsanitary conditions of housing and hygiene favored the spread of scabies. Hundreds of people were crowded onto mattresses and \u201ctents\u201d improvised with their own clothes.<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Justice, the Public Prosecutor\u2019s Office, the City Halls of Guarulhos and S\u00e3o Paulo, in addition to international organizations such as UNHCR4 and IOM5, took joint action in response to this emergency. Civil society mobilized quickly, with a large number of volunteers who donated food, fruit, powdered milk, diapers, sanitary pads, mattresses, blankets, and other essential items.<\/p>\n
It was in this context that an emergency meeting was convened, with the participation of the following organizations: Evangelical Alliance<\/a>, Associa\u00e7\u00e3o CASA<\/a>, Como Nascidos Entre N\u00f3s<\/a>, FEPAS<\/a>, Rede IBAB Solid\u00e1ria<\/a>, RENAS<\/a>, International Bible Society, Tearfund<\/a> and World Vision<\/a>. The goal was to create a Collective of civil society organizations and evangelical Christian churches to discuss ways to help.<\/p>\n (Photo: Alliance volunteers welcoming Afghan refugees at Guarulhos International Airport in November 2023<\/i>)<\/i><\/p>\n Given the complexity of the situation, it became clear that, to offer respectful reception, effective interventions, and guarantee human dignity, it was essential to know who was already involved and what was being done.<\/p>\n The idea of conducting a survey took shape, with the purpose of filling a gap in clear and accurate information, allowing, from it, both churches and organizations and migrants and refugees to quickly and simply access the services and assistance available.<\/b><\/p>\n With regard to emergency actions at Guarulhos Airport, the Collective of civil society organizations and evangelical Christian churches, among other objectives, worked to strengthen, encourage and train civil society, represented by people, organizations, churches and movements that had been developing relevant work in welcoming Afghan families in Brazil.<\/p>\n In those days, we witnessed an intense movement of mercy, carried out by evangelical Christian organizations and churches. It was the movement of God\u2019s love, expressed through constant prayer, welcoming embraces, and words of hope.<\/b><\/p>\n With cars, vans and buses, they arrived at Cumbica Airport, taking 10, 20, 50, up to 100 people at a time. These initiatives provided decent accommodation, abundant food, Portuguese classes, recreation for children, and the support of cultural mediators, always with respect for Afghan culture. Several churches and civil society organizations joined forces, mobilizing to ensure institutional reception for these families.<\/p>\n That same collective actively supported, in 2022, the 6th Refugees Forum organized by Associa\u00e7\u00e3o CASA<\/a>, in which specific training was offered to churches and organizations that served Afghans, Venezuelans, Haitians, Angolans, Ukrainians, among others.<\/p>\n Given the significant landscape of actions in different states and with different nationalities, UNHCR<\/b>4<\/b>\u2014the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees\u2014offered technical support to make possible what was called: Mapping of Evangelical Christian Organizations and Churches that work with migrants and refugees in Brazil.<\/b><\/p>\n The purpose of this mapping was to identify the organizations, where they are, and what they do, fostering visibility, representation, and the opportunity to promote networked action.<\/p>\n <\/b>\u201cWhen a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing with you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.\u201d<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Leviticus 19:33\u201334<\/b><\/p>\n Launch of Phase 01 of the Mapping<\/b><\/p>\n In June 2023, we launched the results of Phase 1 of the Mapping with great joy and gratitude, identifying and recognizing a network of churches, organizations, collectives, and evangelical Christian alliances across the entire national territory. These initiatives have mobilized to provide significant assistance to people of different nationalities, reflecting God\u2019s Kingdom in the cause of migrants and refugees.<\/p>\n In this first phase, 105 institutions participated: 52 churches, 39 civil society organizations, 08 alliances, networks and collectives, and 06 in other formats.<\/b><\/p>\n The great majority work in partnership with other organizations to provide services and assistance to the refugee and migrant population. About 1.7 thousand people, among staff and volunteers<\/b>, are directly involved in the work of these institutions, offering support and assistance to this population.<\/p>\n The Mapping also revealed that participating institutions served individuals of at least 40 different nationalities, with emphasis on Venezuela, Afghanistan, Haiti, Syria, Angola, Colombia, and Cuba. Over the course of 2022, the institutions carried out approximately 112 thousand direct services to the refugee and migrant population<\/b>, present in 18 federative units and 61 municipalities in Brazil, demonstrating the significant impact of their actions.<\/p>\n Launch of Phase 02 of the Mapping<\/b><\/p>\n The migratory scenario, both global and national, which already presented major challenges, became even more complex, arduous and conflictive in 2024. The Brazilian government enacted Order6 that introduced new rules for granting humanitarian visas to Afghan nationals. At this time, visas are suspended. In the same period, the Federal Police launched an operation to dismantle a criminal organization involved in human trafficking. (https:\/\/noticias.r7.com\/brasilia\/pf-deflagra-operacao-contra-organizacao-de-trafico-de-pessoas-23122024\/<\/a>).<\/p>\n The political and economic crisis in Venezuela has intensified, while several countries remain embroiled in wars and armed conflicts, such as Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Palestine, Iran, Lebanon, and Sudan. African nations like Nigeria and Burkina Faso also face terrorist attacks by radical groups, further aggravating instability. At the same time, the recent migration crisis in the United States anticipates the mass deportation of thousands of migrants in irregular situations and the temporary suspension of U.S. funds destined for humanitarian aid. This measure directly affects the work of bodies such as the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR4) in supporting Venezuelan migrants in states in Brazil\u2019s North Region, such as Amazonas, and interrupts the sending of resources to institutions such as IOM5, PRM7 and USAID8.<\/p>\n Furthermore, climate crises have alarmingly contributed to the increase in forced displacement, with devastating effects in various regions of the planet, intensifying the vulnerability of millions of people.<\/p>\n In December 2024, we launched the results of Phase 2 of the Mapping and, once again, with immense joy and gratitude, we recognized the extraordinary work carried out by a true army that refuses to retreat in the face of the challenges of the migratory scenario. These groups keep their DOORS OPEN, offering WELCOME to migrants and refugees.<\/b><\/p>\n In this phase we had 103 responses, of which 88 institutions are active. The collected data show that 15 institutions stopped working on the theme, most of them churches (11), followed by 3 organizations and 1 collective. However, 21 new institutions were added to the Mapping, demonstrating that the evangelical church remains active in the cause of migrants and refugees. There are 116 thousand services provided to the refugee and migrant population<\/b>, covering a wide diversity of actions, ranging from organizations and churches that welcomed a refugee family over the year to large projects that recorded thousands of services in the year.<\/p>\n The main nationalities served were Venezuelans (68 institutions), Afghans (42), followed by Haitians, Cubans, Syrians, and Angolans.<\/p>\n Networked action remains a strength, as most of the responding evangelical Christian churches and organizations (70%) reported working with other partner institutions.<\/p>\n We honor and pray for the people who, in different Brazilian states and cities, have dedicated themselves to this mission. May the Lord strengthen them, renew their spirit, and prosper the work of each one. We also recognize the prayer movements for migrants and refugees that continue without ceasing, believing in the miracle of loving welcome.<\/b><\/p>\n (Photo: Association of Angolans in Rio Grande do Sul)<\/i><\/p>\n We thank the institutions that participated in the Mapping, as well as the support of partners: the Como Nascidos Entre N\u00f3s Movement, the International Bible Society, and Tearfund, in addition to UNHCR4\u2019s technical assistance for carrying out this project.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/aliancaevangelica.org.br\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Sexta_18_11-11-1024x683.jpeg\")
<\/i><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/aliancaevangelica.org.br\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/image003.jpg\")
\n(Photo: Members of the Collective, representatives of the S\u00e3o Paulo Department of Social Assistance, representatives of the federal government, and UNHCR at the 6th Refugees Forum<\/i>)<\/i><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/aliancaevangelica.org.br\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/image005-1024x683.jpg\")
\n(Photo: Participants of the 6th Refugees Forum<\/i>)<\/i><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/aliancaevangelica.org.br\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/image007.jpg\")
\n(Photo: Refuge Network of the Independent Presbyterian Church of S\u00e3o Jos\u00e9 do Rio Preto \u2013 SP displays a banner reading: \u201cImmigrants and Refugees, feel at home among us\u201d)<\/i><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/aliancaevangelica.org.br\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/image009.png\")
\n(Photo: Sophia Nobre Santiago \u2013 President of Panahgah Brasil, and Sindy Nobre Santiago \u2013 Legal Advisor of Panahgah Brasil.)<\/i><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/aliancaevangelica.org.br\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/image011.jpg\")
<\/b>(Photo: Members of the Vila Minha P\u00e1tria team at the 6th Refugees Forum)<\/i><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/aliancaevangelica.org.br\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/image014.jpg\")
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