First group of Ukrainian refugees arrive in Brazil | National Magazine

A tight hug brings reception, even from those who have not known each other. It was the peace they had been searching for so much.

Of the 29 Ukrainian refugees, 17 are children. They landed in the morning at the airport Guarulhos. The families were rescued by the Global Kingdom Partnership Network, which brings together churches of different faiths from different countries. The network will welcome refugees around the world and have chosen this group Brazil.

“Oh Brazilat that moment, I offered to take in 300 people for a year, supporting all the needs of these families – housing and food – so that they could decide whether to stay, work or return,” says Pastor Paschwal-Bryagin.

The long journey, which began a week ago, continued by bus – another 400 km Curitiba (Public relations). Paraná has the largest number of descendants of Ukrainians in the country, and many went to receive them, along with volunteers from the Baptist Society for Social Work.

Usually, Ukrainians can enter Brazil and stay for 90 days as a tourist. But these refugees got the so-called humanitarian visa, from the Brazilian embassies, in Poland and on Hungary – Where did they go when they fled Ukraine? With this visa, they can usually stay here, study and work.

According to the decree issued at the beginning of the month, the visa is valid for 180 days. After that, Ukrainians will be entitled to temporary residence for two years, and they will be able to apply for permanent residence.

For now, they will stay in hotels, in CuritibaThen go to the interior of Paraná. Housing with money donated by volunteers, they also prepared kits of hygiene products, clothing and food.

“These families, they all had their own home, their stable families, they had their jobs… The only thing they have in life is a backpack, it’s a very sad thing,” laments Elias Dantas, International Coordinator of the Network of Churches.

Still tired, and without speaking Portuguese, the refugees thanked him with smiles and looks. But communication is guaranteed with the help of people like Natalia. She is the daughter of Ukrainian immigrants, who also found shelter in Brazil In another time of war.