Crianças Refugiadas e Migrantes: acolhimento, rotinas e brincadeiras em Santarém – PA

Abstract

This research used Bronfenbrenner's Bioecological Theory of Human Development and the Bioecological Model to analyze environmental issues and social interactions in child development in a shelter institution focused on serving this population. This approach allows us to understand factors such as public policies, local culture, and interactions with caregivers and family members that influence the adaptation and well-being of refugee and migrant children. The research investigates the specificities of institutional sheltering of migrant and refugee children in the Western Region of Pará, focusing on the Santarém-PA initiative. The thesis comprises five independent but interconnected studies that follow a theoretical-methodological approach guided by bioecological theory. The central objective of the thesis is to understand how the institution is configured as an ecological context of development, providing care, education, and protection through its routines and games. This sheltering occurs in a scenario in which these children and their families seek better living conditions in Brazil, after leaving behind their countries of origin, homes, relatives, and support networks. The first study conducts an integrative literature review to map how reception services for migrants and refugees are organized in different parts of the world, including Brazil. The results show that there are different ways of conducting this reception. The thematic analysis of the literature shows the existence of two forms: primary and secondary. The primary covers emergency issues such as screening, first aid, documentation, and waiting for referral to the next phase. The second refers to the effective reception in an institution or home designed for this population. The second study prioritized the investigation of the physical and social conditions of the institution studied, evaluating its role as an environment for child development. The results reveal structural weaknesses, especially in the division of dormitories intended for families. The accommodations do not have fixed partitions, but are separated by improvised materials, such as fabrics and plastic tarps. The lack of adequate infrastructure can compromise the privacy, safety, and comfort of families, in addition to generating emotional impacts for refugee children, who already face difficulties in adapting. These findings indicate the need for investments in the shelter infrastructure, ensuring decent conditions for this population. The third study outlined a biopsychosocial profile of the children and families sheltered in this institution, providing a detailed overview of this population. Statistical analysis, performed using R software, revealed significant patterns. The results indicate that the majority of those sheltered are Venezuelan, with emphasis on the Warao indigenous ethnic group (36% women and 34% men). Additionally, 67% of men and 62% of women have an active shelter protocol, 41% of men and 32% of women are unemployed, highlighting challenges to entering the job market. Furthermore, 15% of men and 15% of women do not have an academic background, making professional integration even more difficult. Only 5.5% of children participate in school placement programs, and 15% are enrolled in elementary school, indicating barriers to educational access. These data reinforce the social and economic vulnerability of this population, highlighting the need for public policies that guarantee educational inclusion, professional qualification and socioeconomic integration. The fourth study analyzed the routine of children in foster care, identifying patterns of activities and interactions throughout the day. The data indicate that 95% of activities occur within the institution in the morning and 100% in the evening (p < 0.001), which suggests limited interaction with the external community. The company of parents is reduced to socializing on weekends (2.2% to 6.4%, p < 0.001), while the presence of close relatives increases at night (72%). Play occurs mainly in the afternoon (38% on weekends, 21% during the week, p < 0.001), but is absent in the evening. Although the predictability of the routine can provide emotional stability, the lack of diverse social interactions negatively affects child development. These findings reinforce the importance of encouraging children to participate in external activities and to increase their interaction with the local community. The fifth study investigates the play of migrant and refugee children, exploring its role in child development. Analysis of 64 play records revealed that 78% of the play involved interaction with another child, while 22% were solitary. Furthermore, 56% of the interactions were between girls and 44% between boys. In terms of age group, 82% of the interactions were between children of the same age group (contemporaries), while 18% involved children of different ages (non-contemporaries). These results indicate that children actively seek socialization through play, but the significant presence of solitary play suggests that some face difficulties in adaptation or socialization. Furthermore, the lack of spaces with different physical and social stimuli can limit the acquisition of essential skills for child development. The research shows that the reception of migrant and refugee children still faces structural, social and political challenges, compromising the full development of this population. The reference to the Bioecological Theory of Human Development allowed us to understand how different levels of the environment impact the reception experience as a context for the development of migrant and refugee children.