Livelihood Restoration Research Articles

Resettlement Implementation in Water Projects: A Case of Northern Collector Tunnel Murang'a County

Large-scale water projects threaten livelihood and disrupt communities due to demand for large tracts of land (Walelign & Lujala, 2022). Despite conducting social impact assessment, water projects carry unexpected twists that extend for years. This paper focused on Murang’a Northern Collector tunnel, Murang’a County in Kenya through an ex-post facto design with descriptive survey analysis. It described the impacts of resettlement restoration efforts in water projects. The total land affected by Phase 1 was about 10.766 acres disrupting around 657 people (World Bank Group, 2019). The study found that the affected persons were dissatisfied with the resettlement process. Stakeholders complained of delayed and insufficient compensation, lack of access to water in the project area, and limited public participation. A sample of 261 respondents was used to draw conclusions. The correlation coefficient for the study was R=0.886 with P<0.001, F=163.550, and adjusted R2=0.779. This indicated that the regression model was statistically significant and resettlement implementations contribute to variation in project outcomes. In examining the individual variables most of the participants disagreed or strongly disagreed they were satisfied with the process of resettlement. The paper proposed policy change, adequate multi-stakeholder engagement and harmonization of valuation for fair compensation of land acquired during projects and livelihood restoration.

Torture, Livelihoods and Rehabilitation.

The understanding of torture has evolved to encompass a complex interplay of factors including poverty, politics, health and psychosocial factors which increase vulnerability to torture. In response to this evolving understanding, rehabilitation efforts for torture survivors have expanded beyond medical and psychological care to encompass broader socio-economic dimensions, including live-lihoods support. Livelihoods are not only a means of making a living, but also a source of purpose and identity. This article explores the intersect between livelihoods loss and torture, exploring where livelihoods loss co-occurs with torture, is a consequence of torture, or may be an act of torture in itself. The importance of documenting livelihoods losses in torture assessment and the integration of livelihoods into rehabilitation programs is considered. Although research in this area is sparse, existing evidence suggests that combining livelihoods rehabilitation with psychological and physical interventions, alongside long-term support are important components. For livelihood restoration to be effectively integrated, it must be survivor-centred, holistic, evidence-based and focused on safety. While the field is to date underexplored, this article provides a foundational framework for torture treatment centres and stakeholders to consider the role of livelihoods in both conceptualising and treating survivors of torture.

Livelihood impacts of community-based forest landscape restoration in the Hindu Kush Himalaya, Pakistan

Over the past decade, community-based forest landscape restoration (FLR) has gained policy attention in Pakistan. However, there is a lack of information on how FLR affects the livelihood capital of mountain communities. To fill this gap, this study investigated the livelihood impacts of FLR in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region of Pakistan. To understand the role of FLR in livelihood restoration, we utilized focus group discussions (FGDs) and field observations. The study revealed that community members perceived various impacts of FLR on their livelihood assets. FLR helped restore the ecology, improved access to food, education, and health facilities, developed infrastructure, and initiated ecotourism in the study area. FLR activities were executed through several institutions, particularly extension services, Village Development Committees (VDCs), and Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs), through the process of equity, accountability, and collaboration. We recommend continuing the implementation of FLR initiatives through extension services to maximize positive impacts on social, natural, human, financial, and physical capitals.

Livelihood Restoration Options for Mining Affected Areas in the Kalyana Karnataka Region, India

Livelihood Restoration Options for Mining Affected Areas in the Kalyana Karnataka Region, India

Factors Impacting Participatory Post-Disaster Relocation and Housing Reconstruction: The Case of Tsholotsho District, Zimbabwe

Relocation is not typically considered the best planning option for post-disaster reconstruction and rehabilitation, but it may be necessary if the site has suffered severe damage or is at imminent risk. There is a growing recognition that strong community participation is necessary in the post-disaster relocation decision-making process since relocation can have detrimental effects on a community’s livelihood, cultural system, and way of life, among others. However, the realization of this still needs to be improved. As of yet, few studies have examined a comprehensive account of meaningful community engagement in post-disaster relocation and reconstruction, particularly in developing countries. This study investigated what factors influenced local communities’ participation in post-disaster relocation and reconstruction works after the 2017 Cyclone Dineo flood disaster in the Tsholotsho District of Zimbabwe. Qualitative research methods such as face-to-face interviews, observations, and focus groups were used to collect qualitative data from a purposive sample of 25 community members and 6 stakeholders. This empirical investigation showed that despite the fact that the relocation project was conceived as a community-centered project, there was no meaningful community engagement, due to the absence of a participatory framework or planning guidelines for stakeholder engagement, as well as the lack of political willingness among government officials. The study concluded that the lack of community involvement led to local communities abandoning the reconstruction sites because relocation projects failed to accommodate the cultural beliefs, place attachments, and livelihood concerns of local communities. This study suggested that it is imperative to enhance the awareness of government officials and other stakeholders about the importance of community participation for the effective implementation of post-disaster relocation works. Meaningful community participation can also provide avenues for incorporating local needs and concerns, cultural beliefs, and alternative and sustainable livelihood restoration, which are essential for effective reconstruction after disasters. This research aimed to enrich the academic discourse by providing valuable insights into the intricacies of post-disaster recovery initiatives in the country.

IMPORTANCE OF LIVELIHOOD IMPACT ASSESSMENT IN RESETTLEMENT PROJECTS

During the environmental and social impact assessment, planning for resettling people is often needed for large infrastructure projects that involve buying land. Resettlement planning, on the other hand, necessitates greater attention to detail than is often provided by a social impact assessment (SIA). The optimal time to begin preparing for a new home is after a SIA has been completed as part of the environmental permit process. The success of livelihood restoration is also influenced by timing and length, particularly in-kind support for social resilience. A one-time payout of cash compensation does not help restore a person's long-term financial well-being. Resettlement planning and SIA are intertwined in international infrastructure projects, and this article examines the consequences for timing of livelihood restoration measures in relation to the project cycle. KEYWORDS: Impact Assessment, Livelihood, Resettlement, Urban Planning, Rural

An Ecological Approach to Disaster Mitigation: A Literature Review.

Disasters, whether natural or manmade, disrupt the functioning of communities, significantly impacting people's lives and health. To build community resilience, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends community preparedness, where multiple stakeholders work together. Disaster Preparedness Science Research (DPSR) similarly encourages the improvement of disaster relief outcomes. This literature review assesses the vulnerability of communities for prioritized intervention, summarizes disaster effects, and suggests the scope for improvement in disaster preparedness (DP). Twenty-one articles were reviewed based on disaster mitigation and economic factors from 90 studies identified through a PubMed search till September 2021. Vulnerable communities with higher hazard risks are identified by vulnerability indices (VI), including the Climate Risk Index, Environmental VI, and Socio-Economic VI. However, VI predicting one disaster may not predict another. Disaster behavioral response involves five phases. Disaster effects include medical, mental, environmental, and economic effects, as well as the unique recovery time from each domain effect. Medical effects include malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea, heat stress, exacerbations of chronic conditions, infectious disease outbreaks, trauma, and death. Mental effects are post-traumatic stress disorders, depression, anxiety, somatic complaints, psychological distress, sleep problems, and suicides. Environmental effects include isolation, migration, injury to family members, life threats, and property damage. Loss of livelihood and property are associated with worse outcomes. Disaster recovery, which is seldom measured and not clearly defined, affects measurement and comparison across settings. A uniform validated VI, including multiple indicators assessing vulnerability to various disasters, is required. Livelihood restoration is integral to mental health recovery in some disaster types. Fund diversification, prioritized to the vulnerable and to each domain effect of disaster in the immediate post-disaster phase, expedites recovery. Later recovery investments focused on helping people rebuild their community enhance psychological outcomes. Promoting job insurance in highly vulnerable labor-based communities with high VI, wherein willing-to-pay is high, could facilitate faster recovery. DPSR should be encouraged.

An exploratory study on the life recovery experiences of flood affected farmers in South Punjab-Pakistan

We conducted this qualitative study to explore the life recovery experiences of farmers in one of the worst flood-hit districts of Pakistan. Data were gathered in August 2020, ten years after the disastrous 2010 floods, which hit a significant population of the country. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted to document the subjective evaluation of the study participants with regard to restoration and readjustment of routine social life, work and livelihoods. Specifically, we asked the farmers to share their life recovery experiences by recalling the factors that helped and hindered their recovery process. Thematic analysis uncovered that personal resilience, belief system, bonding social capital, formal aid and previous flood experience were the major factors that contributed positively to the farmers’ life recovery. Political patronization and perceived unfairness in distribution of disaster aid were major factors that hindered the pace of their life recovery. In general, the findings of the study indicate that positive life recovery feelings of flood affected farmers are associated with resilience/vulnerabilities at individual and community level. Flood affected famers’ life recovery experiences are shaped by trade-offs between social vulnerabilities and resilience.

Impacts of urban expansion on the livelihoods of local farming communities: The case of Burayu town, Ethiopia

In most African countries, including Ethiopia, there is growing interest in the need to comprehend the connection between urban expansion and farmers' livelihoods. The aim of the study is to assess the impact of urban expansion on the livelihoods of expropriated farmers in Burayu, Ethiopia. In addition to the paired Sample T-Test model, we used the mixed research approach and the sustainable livelihood framework as analytical tools to understand the links and coping strategies. The analysis of the different urban expansion parameters revealed that the expansion was driven mainly due to increase in investment (56.3%) and as a result of the designation of the town as an industrial development corridor at country level by the government. On average, 42.19% of respondents were entirely expropriated and evicted while the majority of respondents (57.81%) only lost part of their agricultural land. According to a logistic regression analysis, women's economic position was 13.71 times more likely to improve than men's following urbanization (AOR = 13.71, 95%: 1.61–116.79). In comparison to their counterparts, those without employment opportunities had a 98% lower likelihood of improving after urbanization (AOR = 0.02, 95%: 0.00–0.56). The findings of this research indicated that urban biased policy and policy actions drive informal developments. To make urban expansion orderly and sustainable, development policies need to be comprehensive; the expropriation process should be transparent and participatory and livelihood restoration plan should be part of the urban expansion scheme. The adoption of the framework for sustainable livelihood as an analytical tool in urban settings is one of the novel contributions of the study.

Capital Analysis for Future Resettlement Approaches in Laos

Population resettlement is complex system in planning, implementing and monitoring of administration, land, houses, public facilities, livelihood, and other resources. One important element of resettlement work is the capital which plays a key role in the compensation, resettlement and livelihood restoration among project affected persons caused by development projects. This paper aims to contribute the quantitative analysis of influential capitals related to resettlement perspective. These include the natural capital, human capital, physical capital, social capital and financial capital. The paper also provides the alternative resettlement approaches and modes for future resettlement project in Laos.

Livelihood Restoration Plans of the Project Affected Persons: The Case of Standard Gauge Railway Project in Tanzania

Livelihood Restoration Plans of the Project Affected Persons: The Case of Standard Gauge Railway Project in Tanzania

Livelihood recovery for sustainable development: A study of the Lushan earthquake

Livelihood plays an indispensable role in sustainable community development. Previous studies of sustainable livelihood have focused on the factors that contribute to the vulnerability or resilience of livelihood, but there is limited understanding of the factors that determine people's livelihood restoration after a major disaster. By using a mixed method, combined interviews with questionnaires, this research has quantified the critical factors that influence the livelihood recovery of local communities affected by the Lushan earthquake in 2013, China. The statistical analysis shows that the most highly ranked top four factors are access to income generation assets, external housing recovery support, the level of community participation in decision making, and availability of family support. Factor analysis further suggested that the 16 critical factors identified fall into four categories, namely: 1) government policies; 2) access to resources; 3) social cohesion; 4) individual characteristics. For livelihood recovery to be embedded in the long-term sustainable development of earthquake-affected communities in Lushan, it is important to address the sustainable development through a proper knowledge transfer process including training, education, and more novel community services.

From goods to goats: examining post-disaster livelihood recovery in the aftermath of the Nepal earthquake 2015

Disasters can have substantial impacts on people’s livelihoods in developing countries. Further, if the need for livelihood interventions is ignored or delayed, the crisis may trigger unexpected harmful consequences in the affected households in the aftermath. Therefore, restoring livelihoods should remain a priority in the post-disaster recovery process. However, such recoveries in rural contexts and developing countries, like Nepal, are complex as the livelihood restoration process is affected by serious spatial, socio-economic, and political factors. We employed qualitative research methods in four highly affected districts in the 2015 Nepal Earthquake (7.8 Mw) to examine post-disaster livelihoods recovery. Our paper critically assesses the humanitarian response based on the narratives and lived experiences of affected households. The findings show that humanitarian assistance was crucial in addressing several unmet needs of disaster-affected rural households in resource-poor settings in Nepal. However, the interventions were generally fragmented, insufficient, neoliberal led (forcing market dependencies), and largely business-as-usual in their orientation. Previous studies in Nepal paid insufficient attention to the goods provided to affected households in the name of recovery. Therefore, our paper scrutinises selected humanitarian objects, such as power tillers, and unpacks their political economy and effectiveness in local contexts. Further, our findings show that some livelihood policies reinforced the gap between the haves and have-nots, thereby reproducing pre-disaster inequalities in the post-disaster field.

Resiliency of livelihood and empowerment of women: Results of a cash-based intervention in Bangladesh's Lalmonirhat District

Almost every year, the north-western part of Bangladesh faces acute flash floods causing property damage and loss of livelihood. The 2017 flood severely affected Lalmonirhat District, where in 2019 several organizations provided cash incentives as an aid to recovery of livelihoods and empowerment of women. This study explores the use of cash-based intervention (CBI) for livelihood restoration and empowerment of women. A qualitative exploratory research design was employed using a questionnaire survey, focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews. Due to COVID-19, a follow-up phone survey was conducted in July 2020, revealing that CBI led to diversified income sources. The average inflation-adjusted income for beneficiaries was BDT17442 per month. About 52% of respondents believed CBI was highly effective, while 44% found CBI moderately helpful. In only 2% of cases was it fruitless due to the death of cattle. The daily income increased by BDT83-227 for Cluster-A (50% of respondents), BDT228-371 for Cluster-B (42% of respondents), and BDT372-517 for Cluster-C (8% of respondents). Among other occupations, livestock rearing made a significant profit, specifically for those who received minimal monetary CBI support. Following CBI and training, 100% of female respondents opined that males and females should have equal rights. About 93% of female respondents found improvement in self-confidence, self-esteem, and decision-making capacity attributable to participation in training and meetings to which they did not have access previously. About 93% of females felt that after empowerment training, they were able to reduce incidents of domestic violence. They enjoyed greater freedom in household and social decisions, greater independence in income, and improved equality in attitudes. CBI could be implemented on a large scale in disaster-affected communities to recover livelihoods, increase income sources, engage women in the workforce, and empower women.

The territorial politics of urban expansion: Administrative annexation and land acquisition

Urban expansion is a controversial process where territorial conflicts of differing interests and objectives become manifest. The existing interpretations of urban expansion pay insufficient attention to the strategies deployed by municipal governments to resolve the territorial conflicts arising out of urban expansion. This paper identifies two key bargaining arenas through which municipal governments mitigate the territorial complications of urban expansion. First, administrative annexation not only involves municipal governments to gain control over more territory, but also entails strategies adopted to reconcile conflicts created by administrative restructuration, such as offering preferential fiscal and job arrangements. Second, land acquisition is not only about livelihood restoration of landless farmers but is also about converting them into citizens constituting new urban communities and integrating them into the urban mode of production. These bargaining arenas are the sites where the benefits and concessions of urban expansion are negotiated, and they play a key role in ensuring the smooth operation of urban expansion by resolving potential conflicts among stakeholders.

A framework for NGO-led post-disaster reconstruction programs in the indigenous community: A case study of the 2009 Typhoon Morakot in Taiwan

Non-governmental organization-led post-disaster reconstruction programs have been providing ample financial and human resources for disaster reconstruction. However, despite lengthy discussions about NGO-led post-disaster reconstruction programs, there is a lack of research on the different decision-making practices of various NGOs in the indigenous context. This study is based on extensive field research conducted in two communities affected by the 2009 Typhoon Morakot in Taiwan, where the distinct roles of three large-scale NGOs are investigated. Additionally, NGO–government and NGO–community relationships during the implementation of post-disaster reconstruction programs are closely examined. The result show that for the NGO–government relationship, NGOs fill the gaps left by the government. However, NGOs with great experiences in post-disaster reconstruction might dominate the decision-making process. Regarding the NGO–community relationship, flexible solutions proposed by NGOs might help to solve the challenges of post-disaster reconstruction programs implemented in the communities. However, the implementing methods varied tremendously based on the NGOs' underpinning ideology and mutual trust with the communities. Similarly, the research also states that though communities generally trusted the NGOs' ability to conduct the post-disaster reconstruction programs, the NGOs’ ideology on post-disaster reconstruction programs and relationship with communities were crucial to the communities. Eventually, a framework for NGO-led indigenous-based post-disaster reconstruction programs, introducing four stages, is proposed. These stages include: (i) preparedness, (ii) initiation, (iii) planning and construction, and (iv) monitoring and livelihood restoration.

Implementing contaminated land remediation in Nigeria: Insights from the Ogoni remediation project

Environmental contamination by hydrocarbons has negative effects on human health and other receptors including air, water and land resources. Following a United Nations Environment Programme report in 2011 which concluded that remediation strategies adopted in Nigeria did not meet international best practice, the Nigerian Government is attempting to develop a fit for purpose model of managing oil-contaminated land and wetlands. It has established the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) to coordinate the environmental remediation and the restoration of livelihoods of local communities in the Niger Delta, starting with Ogoniland. HYPREP has been implementing the remediation process for more than five years with limited expected sustainable outcomes. It is now 11 years following UNEP’s recommendations for environmental and livelihood restoration in the region. The challenges of effective land remediation and restoration of traditional livelihoods are explored in the context of the Niger Delta, Nigeria’s hub of oil and gas production. The preliminary appraisal indicates that HYPREP operations are bureaucratic, suffering from capacity gaps and a weak stakeholder engagement strategy. Other extant challenges include the slow implementation of recommended emergency measures, corruption and the absence of infrastructure for hazardous materials management. Additionally, HYPREP has not optimized quality assurance by engaging internationally accredited laboratories for chemical analysis of environmental samples. Opportunities exist for HYPREP to learn lessons from other regimes for effective contaminated land management. Roles for different stakeholders working towards sustainable contaminated land management in Ogoniland and the wider Niger Delta are outlined. These recommendations would benefit regions with similar contexts and contaminated land issues.

Improving Post-Relocation Support for People Resettled by Infrastructure Development

ABSTRACT Lagging other components, project-induced resettlement rarely, if ever, is completed after those resettled are compensated and replacement infrastructure handed-over. Initiating livelihood restoration programs may jumpstart but fall short of re-articulating dismantled local economies. Successful resettlement requires pre- and post-relocation actions that will help resellers and their hosts re-articulate new routine social and economic arrangements and improve their well-being. This Special Issue examines the distinct challenges of the post-relocation phase of resettlement. During this phase, the resettlement burdens shift from the relocation project to the resettlers, their hosts, and third parties; from individual to collective issues; and from mitigation to development. For decades, China has experienced with a variety of long-term, post-relocation policies, programs and methodologies. The contributors provide a glimpse of an extensive toolkit being crafted for use in this localized context-defined phase. Some are transferable. Others are not. Post-relocation support (PReS) adds value to improving the likelihood of successful outcomes.

Connecting the Disconnected: The Role of ICT in Women’s Livelihood Restoration in the Resettlement Site Kannagi Nagar in Chennai, India

In Chennai, Development-Induced Displacement and Resettlement (DIDR) pushes the urban poor to resettlement sites in the outskirts of the city. One of those sites is Kannagi Nagar, located 15 km from the city centre, in which women suffer from more significant livelihood deprivation. As there is evidence of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) being useful in development, this study aims to explain the role of ICT in the livelihood restoration and enhancement of the social and financial capital for women in Kannagi Nagar. Through a case study with a blend of quantitative and qualitative techniques, the research incorporated a closed-ended questionnaire survey and interviews. Among the women, ICT use is prevalent, however, they have not fully optimized the potentials of ICT for livelihood restoration. The use is still limited to the purpose of maintaining the contacts they already have. However, some women have been able to use ICT, especially through their phones, for the restoration and enhancement of their social and financial capital. Nonetheless, to harness the full potential of ICT and strengthen women’s agency, access to ICT should be improved.

A people-centred approach to assessing livelihoods impacts

ABSTRACT This paper outlines the ‘People’s Livelihoods Analysis in Economic Displacement’ (PLANNED) framework. It aims to strengthen the knowledge base that informs decisions around avoiding project-induced economic displacement in the project design phase. The PLANNED framework emphasises the need for empathy and respect for human rights. It advocates for adequate timing, resources and capacity to assess impacts on livelihoods and develop livelihood restoration and enhancement measures. It also advocates for collaborative approaches to planning that involve project and lender staff, communities, civil society, and government at early stages. The framework was developed by reflecting on a review of relevant literature and on interviews with practitioners experienced in assessing the impacts created by project-induced physical and economic displacement. The PLANNED framework places the potentially economically-displaced people at the centre of the assessment and appraisal of projects.