Refuge from years in a favela (6)
I believe the answer is:
asylum
'refuge' is the definition.
('asylum' can be a synonym of 'refuge')
'years in a favela' is the wordplay.
'years' becomes 'y'.
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'favela' becomes 'slum'.
'a'+'slum'='aslum'
'y' inserted inside 'aslum' is 'ASYLUM'.
'from' is the link.
(Other definitions for asylum that I've seen before include "A shelter from danger or hardship" , "Shelter given to refugee" , "sought by immigrants" , "find sanctuary there" , "Sanctuary or institution for mentally ill" .)