São Paulo – The Brazilian Refugee Reintegration Institute (Adus) and the Institute of Arab Culture (Icarabe, in the Portuguese acronym) launched this week a campaign to assist Syrian refugees in São Paulo. The main goal is to engage the large Arab community in the city.
The campaign to assist Syrian refugees is part of the Adus’ social programme Visita Amiga (Friendly Visit), which has volunteers visit refugees or refugee families and assess their needs.
“We have assisted many Syrians. Volunteers come back with a demand each visit they make. Many of the refugees need jobs, Portuguese classes, etc.,” says Adus executive director Marcelo Haydu. The NGO also helps refugees look for jobs.
Currently, 80 Syrians are assisted by Friendly Visit. Other needs Haydu has pointed out include homes for the Syrians to live, even if temporarily. “We have some shelters in downtown São Paulo, usually associated with the Catholic Church,” he explains. Most Syrian refugees who come to Brazil are single males or couples with children.
Haydu says the campaign does not have a set duration, since assistance to Syrians is provided non-stop, including newly arrived refugees. According to him, the partnership with Icarabe is designed to engage the Arab community living in São Paulo. “The Arab community might become a big partner in helping refugees in Brazil,” he stresses.
Heloísa Dib, Icarabe’s secretary general, points out that not all of the Syrians arriving in Brazil are from poor families. Some are graduates, but need to learn Portuguese and get a work permit in order to get a job. “We are all trying to give them some support,” she says.
Once they find a place to live, the refugees often need furniture for the place. “They need beds, stoves, etc. All donations are welcome,” she points out. As many couples have children, toys, books, children’s clothes, diapers, food and other household supplies are also accepted.
Donations will be picked up by the Adus at the donor’s house and taken directly to the refugees. The NGO owns a small car to transport items and it is also looking for a bigger vehicle to assist in this task.
The Icarabe’s secretary general reinforces the refugees’ need for jobs. “What they need is jobs. They are desperate,” she says. She also says she is looking for Arab community members who can employ these refugees. “The idea is to have a chain [of kindness],” she concludes.
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Those willing to help can get in touch by email at apoiorefugiados@icarabe.org and marcelo.haydu@adus.org.br, or by phone (+5511) 94744-2879 (Marcelo Haydu).
Money donations are also accepted
*Translated by Rodrigo Mendonça
