smartraveller.gov.au - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
It's a must see destination.
It's a must see destination.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
| Democratic Republic of the Congo overall | This Advice is current for Tuesday, 07 October 2008. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
| Eastern, north-eastern and Bas-Congo areas | ||||
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information under Where to Get Help (update). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
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Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.
We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo because of widespread lawlessness and the potential for civil unrest. If you do decide to travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, you should exercise extreme caution.
Heavy fighting broke out in the capital Kinshasa in March 2007. While order has been restored, Australians in Kinshasa should stay in close contact with the Canadian Embassy in Kinshasa for the latest developments on the ground.
Clashes between various armed local groups and government forces are common in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. There are numerous government security forces stationed in urban areas, including Kinshasa. Local authorities, including the police, often have limited or no capacity to control the situation or provide assistance.
You should avoid all civil disturbances, protests or demonstrations because of their potential to turn violent.
Eastern, north-eastern and Bas-Congo areas: We strongly advise you not to travel to the eastern, north-eastern and Bas-Congo areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including North and South Kivu Provinces and the Ituri district of Orientale Province, because of the dangerous and unstable security situation and lawlessness throughout these regions. Inter-factional fighting occurs in these areas and in the Katanga and Maniema provinces. Rebel forces control parts of the east and north of the country.
There is a very high level of crime throughout the Democratic Republic of the Congo and risks increase after dark. You should avoid all travel after dark.
Arbitrary arrests of foreigners by security authorities who demand payment for release are common.
Vehicle thefts, burglaries and carjackings are common. You should not drive off the main thoroughfares or park your vehicle in unsupervised areas.
Violent robbery, particularly of travellers, also occurs, especially in Kinshasa. Walking alone in the capital, including in daylight hours, is dangerous.
If travelling by air to Kinshasa, we strongly recommend that you arrange to be met on arrival at the airport. Recent civil unrest has resulted in the cancellation of some flights to Kinshasa. Local immigration and customs procedures at Kinshasa Airport are difficult and you may need assistance from people familiar with requirements.
There is no reliable public transport.
Taxis are only reliable from some major hotels.
Driving in the Democratic Republic of the Congo can be dangerous because of aggressive driving practices and low driving standards. Most roads are in poor condition with insufficient or non-existent signage and lighting.
Military and police roadblocks are common throughout the country, including in Kinshasa, particularly after dark. They may not be clearly marked. You may be required to show identification documents, including car registration and ownership papers.
There are risks involved in travelling by ferry or boat. Many are overloaded, lack necessary lifesaving equipment and are not sea worthy.
Passengers on international flights to and from Australia are only allowed to carry a small amount of liquids (including aerosols and gels) in their carry-on baggage. You can find out more information at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government website. Similar restrictions apply to flights in an increasing number of countries. Contact your airline for further information.
If you have concerns about the safety standards of a particular airline or aircraft, we recommend you research the airline or aircraft through organisations such as Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has published fact sheets on security for air travellers. When staff at Australia's overseas missions are advised not to use particular airlines due to safety concerns this will be included in travel advice.
The European Union (EU) has published a list of airlines that are subject to operating bans or restrictions within the EU. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its foreign assessment program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual airline, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by ICAO.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is subject to earthquakes. An earthquake hit the towns of Bukavu and Goma in February 2008. Many people were injured and property was damaged. Volcanic eruptions have occurred at the Nyiragongo volcano in 2002 and Nyamulagira volcano in 2006.
The rainy season is April to October in the north and November to March in the south. Landslides and flooding may occur during these periods which can affect transport infrastructure.
Information on natural disasters can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service. In the event of an earthquake, volcanic activity or other natural disaster, follow the advice of local authorities.
Australians are advised to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional operations and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.
Before you go, organise a variety of ways of accessing your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques and US dollars cash. US dollar currency should be in good condition (not torn) and of recent issue. Check with your bank whether your ATM card will work overseas. Travellers' cheques are not accepted in Kinshasa and credit cards are only accepted at some major hotels.
Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.
As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
Australians are required to pay an additional fee to have their passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.
If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas, we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.
Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.
When you are in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.
Penalties for possession of illegal drugs, including so-called 'soft drugs', include mandatory prison sentences of up to 12 months.
Any offence leading to a person's death is punishable by the death penalty.
Pedestrians and motorists are expected to stop beside the road when sirens or security forces announce the presence of the presidential and official motorcades. Photography of the motorcades is not permitted. Security personnel will give permission when bystanders can proceed.
Traffic and pedestrians are required to stop for the raising of the national flag at approximately 6:00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m. every day. Police and military personnel often detain people who neglect to do so.
Photography of or near government buildings or other infrastructure, including airports, is prohibited.
Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.
Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo does not recognise dual nationality. This may limit our ability to provide consular assistance to Australian/Democratic Republic of the Congo dual nationals who are arrested or detained.
Our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information for dual nationals.
Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of the Democratic Republic of the Congo for the most up to date information.
A valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is required for entry into the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is listed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as endemic for yellow fever. Some airlines may require passengers to present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate before being allowed to board flights out of the country. If in doubt, check with your airline.
If you have visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the last six days prior to your date of return to Australia, Australian Customs officials will ask you to present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate on entry into Australia.
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel.
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our 'Travelling Well' brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.
The standard of medical facilities is basic in Kinshasa and inadequate outside of the capital. Doctors and hospitals generally require up-front payment before commencing treatment. In the event of a serious illness or accident, medical evacuation to a destination with the appropriate facilities would be necessary. Medical evacuation costs could be considerable.
Polio is a high risk in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Department of Health and Ageing recommends that you complete a primary course of polio vaccinations prior to travel. If it has been more than 10 years since your primary polio vaccination course of last polio booster dose, you should have a single booster dose of polio vaccine. If you are unsure of your polio vaccination status, check with your doctor prior to travel.
Malaria occurs widely and throughout the year in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Other insect-borne diseases (including yellow fever, filariasis, plague and African sleeping sickness) also occur. We encourage you to take prophylaxis against malaria and take measures to avoid insect bites, including using insect repellent at all times.
Water-borne, food-borne and other infectious diseases (including HIV/AIDS, cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, tuberculosis, rabies, monkeypox and ebola haemorrhagic fever) are prevalent with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling. We recommend you boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, avoid ice cubes and raw and undercooked food. Do not swim in fresh water to avoid exposure to certain water-borne diseases such as bilharzia (schistosomiasis). Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.
Australia does not have an Embassy or Consulate in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. By agreement between the Canadian and Australian governments, the local Canadian Embassy provides consular assistance to Australians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and we recommend that you register with the Embassy. You should register your presence online with the Canadian Embassy. Consular services provided by the Canadian Embassy do not include the issue of Australian passports. The address is:
Embassy of Canada
No 17 Avenue Pumbu
Gombe, Kinshasa
Democratic Republic of the Congo
(PO Box 8341, Kinshasa)
Telephone: (243) 898 950 310/11/12
Facsimile: (243) 999 975 403 or (243) 813 016 515
Email: kinshasa@international.gc.ca
Website: www.kinshasa.gc.ca
You can also obtain consular assistance from the nearest Australian Embassy which is in Zimbabwe:
Australian Embassy
1 Green Close
Borrowdale
Harare, Zimbabwe
Telephone: (263 4) 852 471
Facsimile: (263 4) 870 566
Website: http://www.zimbabwe.embassy.gov.au
E-mail: zimbabwe.embassy@dfat.gov.au
If you are travelling to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we strongly recommend that you register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.
In a consular emergency, if you are unable to contact the above embassies you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.
In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.
While every care has been taken in preparing this travel information for travellers, neither the Australian Government nor its agents or employees including any member of Australia's consular staff abroad, can accept liability for injury, loss or damage arising in respect of any statement contained therein.
