The impact of involuntary resettlement on households’ livelihood: A case study of railway infrastructure induced resettlement in South Wello zone of Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

The research paper investigates the impact of involuntary displacement on households' livelihoods due to railway infrastructure development projects in Ethiopia. The number of people being displaced due to land acquisition, including railway transportation, has been increasing, and the constitutional provision for compensation and resettlement is often inadequate to alleviate the negative effects of displacement. The study employs a quasi-experimental design with propensity score matching (PSM) to examine the impact of railway infrastructure on households' livelihoods in the South Wello Zone, Ethiopia. The study uses household surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. The results reveal that involuntary displacement due to a railway project significantly and negatively affects displaced households' livelihoods, including a decrease in income, financial instability, loss of natural resources, and social disintegration due to insufficient compensation payments. The study recommends implementing comprehensive and sustainable compensation and resettlement programs, constructing nearby resettlement environments, involving affected households in decision-making, and mitigating environmental impacts. Local governments should provide alternative packages and fair compensation, and feasibility studies should prioritize households' livelihoods, consider environmental and social impacts, and view involuntary displacement as a last resort.