Here are a few resources for you to review to elevate your knowledge about the country of the DRC and what has led to its refugee crisis. If you work directly with people from the DRC, this may help you put some things into context.

Note: Catholic Community Services of Utah (CCS) Migration and Refugee Services department serves refugees and displaced peoples from all sides of national and cultural conflicts. Therefore, the perspectives in these resources do not directly reflect the perspectives of all of CCS’s clients. It is recommended that you not assume an individual’s personal beliefs about a conflict.

Resources

CORE Congolese Backgrounder

Congolese Backgrounder May 2022.pdf

DRC Country Conditions Report

A document showing a timeline of relevant historical events in the DRC and an overview of the current situation as of 2015

Congolese Refugees in the U.S.

A video about including interviews with refugees and community leaders from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and refugee service providers, speaking about the resettlement experiences of newly-arrived and previously resettled refugees from the DRC

DRC Refugee Wellness Guide

A document highlighting current healthcare systems, common perceptions and responses to adverse mental health symptoms, and typical community support networks for people from the DR