São Paulo – With the organization of the UN Refugee Agency – UNHCR, the photo exhibit “Faces do Refúgio” (Faces of Asylum) opens on August 15 at Central Cultural dos Correios, in Rio de Janeiro. There will be on display 52 pictures of refugees from different nationalities, photographed in several countries, among them the Arab countries of Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Jordan, Lebanon and Egypt. The curatorship for the exhibition is a partnership between UNHCR and Atelier Vanessa Poitena. The exhibit runs until September 23 and the admission is free.
Visitors will get to know more about the current forced displacement crisis, plus stories of resilience of children, men and women that faced serious human rights violations and are seeking for an opportunity to rebuild their lives.
The photos were taken throughout the refugees’ migration, in their home countries or destinations, in Africa (in the picture above, South Sudan), Asia, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East. There photos of the Congolese, Syrian and Venezuelan refugees were taken here in Brazil.
Data from the UN agency show that, globally, over 68 million people are living away from their homes due to wars, conflicts and persecution. The Global Trends report, with data gathered by the UNHCR on forced displacement in the world, was launched on June 19.00
According to data from the National Committee for Refugees (CONARE), Brazil has recognized 10,145 refugees from several nationalities until the end of 2017. From these, 5,134 are still living in the country with a refugee status; 52% are living in São Paulo, 17% in Rio de Janeiro and 8% in Paraná.
According to CONARE, Syrians account for 35% of the registered refugee population. The others, who no longer hold the status of refugees, might have voluntarily returned to their home countries after regaining the protection stripped away from them, or have become naturalized Brazilians, a lasting solution for the protection and integration of refugees into Brazilian society.
Quick info
Photo exhibit “Faces of Asylum”
From August 15 to September 23
Centro Cultural dos Correios
Rua Visconde do Itaboraí, 20, Centro – Rio de Janeiro
From Tuesday to Sunday, from noon to 7 pm
Free admission
Translated by Sérgio Kakitani
