VULNERABILIDADES EM MOVIMENTO

MORADIA E TRABALHO NO CONTEXTO DO COVID-19 ENTRE MIGRANTES VENEZUELANOS EM MANAUS, AMAZONAS, BRASIL

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic had a global impact on human mobility, exacerbating preexisting vulnerabilities among migrants. In Brazil, the health crisis coincided with a significant migratory flow of Venezuelans, particularly to Manaus, the capital of Amazonas, which became one of the pandemic’s epicenters. This study investigates the housing and employment conditions of Venezuelan migrants in Manaus during the pandemic, analyzing how these factors influenced their social and health vulnerability. The research adopts a qualitative approach, based on semi-structured interviews conducted with 13 Venezuelan migrants between 2021 and 2023. Data was processed through content analysis, considering the dimensions of social and programmatic vulnerability. The results indicate that the lack of support networks and labor precarization hindered adherence to public health measures. Housing insecurity increased the risk of contagion, while informal employment exposed migrants to exhausting workdays without labor rights. Moreover, fear of discrimination and language barriers limit access to healthcare services. The pandemic intensified structural inequalities faced by migrants, making them more susceptible to eviction, illness, and labor exploitation. These findings underscore the need for public policies that ensure housing security, social protection, and equitable access to healthcare services.