They are in need of all basic necessities to live a decent life, including housing, sanitation, food, education and jobs. I decided I wanted to try to volunteer to assist the Warao refugee community here.
As the situation in Venezuela becomes more desperate, many people are taking dangerous measures to flee to different countries that can provide jobs, living wages, and a greater sense of security. Many people go to Colombia and Brazil, which are neighboring countries to Venezuela. In Belém, there is a language barrier coupled with high unemployment, leaving the Warao refugees in a difficult situation.
There are some amazing people here in Belém, such as social workers and concerned citizens, who have come together to create massive community efforts. These include weekly donations of food, water, basic sanitation supplies, and Portuguese lessons to the Warao people. In some of the shelters, the Warao women make various types of traditional clothes to sell at marketplaces. The men try to find work outside of the shelters, too, in order to generate income and become more independent. Although there is much more work to be done, we are all doing are best to help our fellow humans in need!
