São Paulo – The number of Syrian refugees benefiting from the income transfer program Bolsa Família, by the federal government, is increasing. According to data from Brazil’s Ministry of Social Development and Fight against Hunger (MDS), 163 families with at least a Syrian citizen were taking part in the program as of September of this year. In December of last year, 23 families with at least one Syrian citizen were benefited and, in December 2013, only seven families with a Syrian member had received the transfer by the government. Bolsa Família is an income transfer program. Through it, the government offers a monthly allowance to poor families that are not able to support themselves.<\/p>\n
Still according to MDS information, the number of foreigners enrolled in the program is also going up. In September of this year, 15,707 families with at least a foreign member received Bolsa Família. In December of last year, the number stood at 12,205 families, and in December of 2013, the number was 8,458 families.<\/p>\n
According to the MDS, the inclusion of foreigners in the Bolsa Família program was always viable, as long as they met the program’s requirements, had their documentation in order and proved they resided in the country, including reception centers. Even with this increase, the number of people from other countries receiving the program’s allowance amount to only 0.11% of the total, with Syrians accounting for 1% of all foreigners.<\/p>\n
Just as the number of Syrians included in the program goes up, also increasing is the number of Syrians asking for asylum in Brazil. According to data from the Ministry of Justice, up until September 2,097 Syrians were granted asylum in Brazil. Until October of last year, 1,524 Syrians were done the same. Syrians are seeking asylum in other countries due to the armed conflict between government and opposition forces that has been affecting the country since 2011.<\/p>\n
To be able to access the Bolsa Família program, first the person has to be included in the single registry for social programs of the federal government. To be included in this registry, the family has to have a monthly income of up to half minimum wage per person, or a total monthly income of up to three minimum wages. It’s also a requirement to present the Individual Taxpayer Registration number (CPF, the Brazilian Social Security Number) or the electoral card and that the other members of the family to present their birth certification.<\/p>\n
Once included in the registry, the family has the right to receive the Bolsa Família if its monthly income per person isn’t above R$ 77 (US$ 20.20), with or without children, or if its monthly income per person stands between R$ 77.01 (US$ 20.20) and R$ 154 (US$ 40.40) with children and teenagers up to 17 years of age. In July of this year, 13.8 million families were benefited by the program’s transfers, with an average value of R$ 164.86 (US$ 43.25) per family. The calculation made to obtain the final value to be transferred varies according to number of members, age, income and the presence of pregnant women.<\/p>\n
*Translated by Sérgio Kakitani<\/strong><\/p>\n