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Case
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Reference no. 223-0007-1
Published by: Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford
Originally published in: 2023
Version: 10 May 2022
Length: 25 pages
Data source: Field research
Notes: For terms & conditions go to www.thecasecentre.org/freecaseterms

Abstract

Beginning in 2015, large numbers of migrants from Venezuela, looking to escape their country's humanitarian and economic crisis, headed to Boa Vista, a small municipality in Brazil's remote north-western state of Roraima, just 220 km from the Venezuelan border. The Mayor of Boa Vista, Teresa Surita, was committed to integrating the Venezuelans into Boa Vista. However, immigration intensified over the years, and by 2018, Venezuelans made up around 10% of Boa Vista's population. The public services of resource-poor Boa Vista were stretched thin, with little support from the Brazilian federal government. Local Boa Vistans, who had initially supported the migrants, increasingly blamed them for their city's deteriorating conditions. Moreover, across Brazil anti-immigration sentiments were on the rise, with the leading candidates for both Roraima state governor and the national president championing a hard-line approach to immigration. Then, in February 2018, Boa Vista saw an outbreak of measles, which had been eradicated in Brazil in 2015. The disease was detected in an unvaccinated Venezuelan child and started to spread across the city. With Boa Vista on edge and the immigrant population still growing, Surita's strategy of integration was under fire. She knew she had to act quickly to contain the situation. This case has been made available free of charge.

Teaching and learning

This item is suitable for postgraduate and executive education courses.

Time period

The events covered by this case took place in 2018.

Geographical setting

Region:
Americas
Country:
Brazil

Featured protagonist

  • Teresa Surita (female), Mayor of Boa Vista

About

Abstract

Beginning in 2015, large numbers of migrants from Venezuela, looking to escape their country's humanitarian and economic crisis, headed to Boa Vista, a small municipality in Brazil's remote north-western state of Roraima, just 220 km from the Venezuelan border. The Mayor of Boa Vista, Teresa Surita, was committed to integrating the Venezuelans into Boa Vista. However, immigration intensified over the years, and by 2018, Venezuelans made up around 10% of Boa Vista's population. The public services of resource-poor Boa Vista were stretched thin, with little support from the Brazilian federal government. Local Boa Vistans, who had initially supported the migrants, increasingly blamed them for their city's deteriorating conditions. Moreover, across Brazil anti-immigration sentiments were on the rise, with the leading candidates for both Roraima state governor and the national president championing a hard-line approach to immigration. Then, in February 2018, Boa Vista saw an outbreak of measles, which had been eradicated in Brazil in 2015. The disease was detected in an unvaccinated Venezuelan child and started to spread across the city. With Boa Vista on edge and the immigrant population still growing, Surita's strategy of integration was under fire. She knew she had to act quickly to contain the situation. This case has been made available free of charge.

Teaching and learning

This item is suitable for postgraduate and executive education courses.

Settings

Time period

The events covered by this case took place in 2018.

Geographical setting

Region:
Americas
Country:
Brazil

Featured protagonist

  • Teresa Surita (female), Mayor of Boa Vista

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