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Country analysis

Brazil


As at January 2023, Brazil hosted around 406,000 Venezuelan refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers, representing 18% of the total 7.13 million Venezuelan migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in the world. Of the total population of Venezuelan refugees and asylum seekers worldwide, at least 298,000 people are in need. The main ports of entry are through the states near the northern border region; most Venezuelans in Brazil enter through and stay in the states of Roraima (50%) and Amazonas (19%).

The high flow of population movements in Roraima makes accommodation the main humanitarian need, as many shelters are already functioning at maximum capacity. Although the Venezuelan population can move from Roraima to other states, geographical barriers, such as the natural hazards occurring in the Amazon rainforest, make it difficult for them to do so. The scarcity of formal jobs and language limitations for Venezuelans also hinder their access to essential goods and services. Food and livelihood needs are also reported in the state of Roraima.

States in the northwest of the country experience wet weather and heavy rainfall during the expected rainy season between October–March, which also makes them prone to flooding. During the last rainy season between September 2022 and January 2023, heavy rains in Minas Gerais caused flooding and landslides, displacing almost 13,000 people and leading to the declaration of a state of emergency in 216 municipalities. Other states, such as Santa Catarina and Espírito Santo, were also affected. The heavy rains caused damage and destruction to houses, road infrastructure, and bridges, leading to delays in the delivery of humanitarian aid.

R4V 12/12/2022, R4V 09/01/2023, Caritas, R4V 12/12/2022, PAHO 20/12/2022, ECHO 11/01/2023, PAHO 13/01/2023, Semana 14/01/2023)

As at January 2023, Brazil hosted around 406,000 Venezuelan refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers, representing 18% of the total 7.13 million Venezuelan migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in the world. Of the total population of Venezuelan refugees and asylum seekers worldwide, at least 298,000 people are in need. The main ports of entry are through the states near the northern border region; most Venezuelans in Brazil enter through and stay in the states of Roraima (50%) and Amazonas (19%).

The high flow of population movements in Roraima makes accommodation the main humanitarian need, as many shelters are already functioning at maximum capacity. Although the Venezuelan population can move from Roraima to other states, geographical barriers, such as the natural hazards occurring in the Amazon rainforest, make it difficult for them to do so. The scarcity of formal jobs and language limitations for Venezuelans also hinder their access to essential goods and services. Food and livelihood needs are also reported in the state of Roraima.

States in the northwest of the country experience wet weather and heavy rainfall during the expected rainy season between October–March, which also makes them prone to flooding. During the last rainy season between September 2022 and January 2023, heavy rains in Minas Gerais caused flooding and landslides, displacing almost 13,000 people and leading to the declaration of a state of emergency in 216 municipalities. Other states, such as Santa Catarina and Espírito Santo, were also affected. The heavy rains caused damage and destruction to houses, road infrastructure, and bridges, leading to delays in the delivery of humanitarian aid.

R4V 12/12/2022, R4V 09/01/2023, Caritas, R4V 12/12/2022, PAHO 20/12/2022, ECHO 11/01/2023, PAHO 13/01/2023, Semana 14/01/2023)

Latest updates on country situation

19 September 2023

An extratropical cyclone, with heavy rainfall, strong winds, and hailstorms, have affected at least 354,000 people in Brazil. The cyclone has mainly affected southern Brazil, specifically Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul states, since 4 September. As at 14 September, there were nearly 50 dead, 940 injured, and over 25,000 displaced people recorded. Increased river water levels have restricted access to the affected areas from Porto Alegre city, limiting aid delivery. Some areas are isolated in Rio Grande do Sul, which has experienced the passage of four cyclones since June 2023. The weather event has likely affected agriculture and the livelihoods of those working in the sector. Assessments of the needs of the affected population have not been conducted, but they are likely to include shelter, clean water, and food.
(PAHO 15/09/2023, OCHA 11/09/2023, Clarin 05/09/2023)

current crises
in Brazil


These crises have been identified through the INFORM Severity Index, a tool for measuring and comparing the severity of humanitarian crises globally.

Read more about the Index

BRA001 - Country level

Last updated 30/08/2023


Drivers

Displacement
Floods

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

2.8 Medium

Access constraints

2.0

BRA003 - Floods

Last updated 30/08/2023


Drivers

Floods

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

1.4 Low

Access constraints

2.0

BRA002 - Venezuelan refugees

Last updated 30/08/2023


Drivers

Displacement

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

2.4 Medium

Access constraints

1.0

REG002 - Venezuela Regional Crisis

Last updated 17/05/2023


Drivers


Crisis level

Regional

Severity level

3.9 High

Access constraints

4.0

Analysis products
on Brazil

Brazil: Floods in Bahia and Minas Gerais

04 February 2022

Brazil: Floods in Bahia and Minas Gerais

DOCUMENT / PDF / 510 KB

Because of a meteorological phenomenon known as the South Atlantic Convergence Zone, the Brazilian states of Bahia and Minas Gerais have been experiencing heavy rainfall since early December. The rains have caused flooding in 164 municipalities in Bahia and 341 in Minas Gerais. As at 25 January, more than 965,000 people in both states are affected. 

Natual hazards
Brazil: Floods in Pernambuco and Alagoas

08 June 2017

Brazil: Floods in Pernambuco and Alagoas

DOCUMENT / PDF / 126 KB

In the last week of May, heavy rainfall and flooding were registered across the states of Pernambuco and Alagoas in northern Brazil. In Pernambuco, 24 out of 185 municipalities have declared state of emergency: 55,000 have been displaced and up to 2.2 million temporarily affected by damage to WASH infrastructure. In Alagoas, the highest estimates are of 16,000 people displaced and 27 out of 102 municipalities in state of emergency.

Natual hazards
Latina America and Caribbean: Zika Virus Epidemic

18 March 2016

Latina America and Caribbean: Zika Virus Epidemic

DOCUMENT / PDF / 166 KB

The Zika virus epidemic in Latin America and the Caribbean is most affecting Brazil, with over one million cases estimated. Colombia reports over 18,000 confirmed and 2,000 suspected cases and anticipates over 650,000. El Salvador reports over 6,000 suspected cases. Venezuela reports over 4,500 confirmed cases, however unofficial estimates are thought to be as high as 400,000. 

Health
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