Porto Alegre – Living in Brazil for about two years, Afghan Fatehullah Azizi had never thought that the tropical country would become his home. It was in 2021, when, together with his brother, he left Afghanistan for Pakistan, that this chapter of his life began to be drafted. 

The brothers remained in the neighboring country where they requested the humanitarian visa to the Brazilian government. “In May 2022, we received the positive news that we could come live in Brazil, and the country became our source of hope”, says Azizi. 

They both benefited from the Interministerial Ordinance MJSP/MRE (Ministry of Justice and Public Security/Ministry of Foreign Affairs) No. 24 adopted in September 2021 by the Federal Government which has established the possibility of humanitarian reception for Afghan nationals, stateless persons or others affected by grave or imminent institutional instability, as well as severe violations of human rights or international humanitarian law in Afghanistan. Since then, like the Azizi brothers, other more than 11,000 Afghans have entered Brazil. 

The challenge to board to another country, with an unfamiliar language and culture, was not easy, but the brothers arrived driven by the courage to start their lives over. “I arrived in São Paulo on May 3, 2022, already eager to accomplish my dream, which has always been to work in the humanitarian field”, Azizi explains. 

“I have visited many countries, and I can say: Brazil is the one that makes me feel at home. Brazilian people have big hearts”, he says emotionally. “I am really happy to have Brazil as my second home”. Nowadays, the Afghan has a resident permit and intends to continue his life in Brazil. 

n the first months after his arrival in Brazilian soil, Fatehullah Azizi dedicated himself to getting to know his new country. In São Paulo, he started studying Portuguese in courses offered by initiatives for migrants that also provided health, integration and social cohesion activities. 

Along the way, Azizi did not abandon his dream, and in February 2024 he became a humanitarian worker for IOM, the UN Agency for Migration, as part of the socioeconomic integration team. 

And in May, when the disaster caused by severe floods extended through the state of Rio Grande do Sul, forcing more than 400,000 people to leave their homes, Azizi was ready to stand alongside his colleagues, helping the people in the southern state who would receive support from IOM.  

“I knew that coming to Rio Grande do Sul would be a challenge, especially considering my personal history, but I was encouraged by my friends and colleagues. I decided to come here with the idea that if I could help one person, thanks to Brazil and Brazilians, I was doing what is right”, he tells.

Thus, in July, Azizi became part of IOM’s team that dedicates its efforts to manage the Humanitarian Reception Centres (CHAs in Portuguese) in Rio Grande do Sul, located in the cities of Canoas and Porto Alegre. These centres are dedicated to sheltering people that lost their homes due to the floods. This initiative is in partnership with the governments of Rio Grande do Sul, Canoas and Porto Alegre, as well as the Brazilian Federation of Trade in Goods, Services and Tourism (Fecomercio). It aims to provide a dignified welcome with a comprehensive approach to human rights, also providing socio-economic integration activities. 

“These last weeks have been really intense, but they also bring me happiness for helping these people. This is what I tell my parents when I talk to them”, he says. “To me, it is a point of pride to have the opportunity to help the Brazilian, for all that Brazil has done for me, for giving me this chance to start over”. 

In the future, Azizi aims to keep helping those who need it the most. He also wants to immerse himself in Brazilian culture and become more fluent in Portuguese. He aspires to pursue a master’s degree to complement his studies in Administration and Business. 

Azizi says that he is very proud of his job. For him, engaging in humanitarian efforts, especially as an IOM worker and in Brazil is deeply fulfilling. “As long as I am alive, I want to help people”, he concludes. 

Watch the video on YouTube: https://youtube.com/shorts/P9cxwQRV-To

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