Settlement considerations for Congolese

Given the community’s small size and recency of arrival, the Congolese community as a whole is likely to experience significant challenges in assisting new arrivals to settle. Additionally, given the recency of most arrivals, both settlement and mainstream service providers are likely to be largely unfamiliar with the needs of this group. Entrants from DRC are likely to have limited or no English language skills and will thus require translating and interpreting services. Some may speak French.

The age profile of entrants over the last five years shows a large proportion of entrants are children, youth or young adults (63 per cent were under the age of 25 on arrival, and 44 per cent under 15). This suggests a need to focus on education and training services for young Congolese entrants. By law, primary school is compulsory and free in DRC. In reality, there are not enough schools or teachers.

As a result, these entrants may have limited experience of formal education and limited or no literacy and numeracy skills. Young entrants may require assistance to understand formal schooling practices in Australia and to develop basic literacy and numeracy skills necessary for further learning.

Conflicts in DRC have been extreme and brutal. Both militia groups and national forces have targeted civilian homes, hospitals, schools and communities. Forced recruitment of child soldiers has been common. Many entrants have experienced highly traumatic events, including physical violence against themselves, family members and friends.

Entrants may need assistance to deal with the effects of torture and trauma, in addition to the general stresses of migration, separation from family and culture shock. Entrants may also be concerned about the safety of family left behind. Male entrants from rural areas of DRC may be familiar with basic farming practices, although will probably not be used to working with farming machinery.

Women from rural areas may also have skills in growing small food crops but are unlikely to have any formal employment history. In urban areas of DRC, unemployment is high. However, male entrants may have experience in a range of fields, including tailoring or shoe repair, construction, taxi and bus driving and small scale retail. Female entrants may also have experience in informal, small scale retail.

Living conditions in DRC, particularly in rural areas, are very different to conditions in Australia. Entrants may be unfamiliar with Australian housing and require assistance to learn about common household equipment and practices. Entrants may also be used to a barter economy and may need assistance to learn about aspects of financial management such as banking and budgeting.

Compiled by the national office of the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs to assist state and territory governments, service providers and other key settlement stakeholders to settle new entrants under Australia’s Humanitarian Programme.