Risks and Reconstruction : Experiences of Resettlers and Refugees

The magnitude of population displacement and its consequences have placed the issues of reconstructing the livelihoods of those displaced on the world's development agenda. Addressing these issues from a novel perspective, 'Risks and Reconstruction' offers a comparative analysis of the two largest groups of the world's displaced populations: resettlers being uprooted by development programs and refugees fleeing military conflicts or natural calamities. The book explores the condition of being 'displaced,' the risks of impoverishment and social disarticulation, the rights and entitlements of those uprooted, and most importantly, how these groups can reconstruct their livelihoods. It uses a common set of concepts, derived from the impoverishment risks and reconstruction model. The world's interest in forced resettlers and refugees has considerably increased in the last two decades. About 10 million people around the world are displaced and resettled every year by development programs. Many governments, responding to national and international concerns, have strengthened their policies and assistance programs in this area. In the book, scholars and practitioners report on new empirical research, ideas and development projects from many parts of the world, including China, India, Africa, Argentina, Colombia, Greece. Although this volume focuses on developing countries, experiences from developed countries are also discussed. 'Risks and Reconstruction' is an invaluable reference tool for policymakers, academics, development practitioners, nongovernmental organizations, aid and refugee agencies, and anyone interested in today's international development issues. Annotation The magnitude of population displacement and its consequences have placed the issues of reconstructing the livelihoods of those displaced on the world's development agenda. Addressing these issues from a novel perspective, Risks and Reconstruction offers a comparative analysis of the two largest groups of the world's displaced populations: resettlers being uprooted by development programs and refugees fleeing military conflicts or natural calamities. The book explores the condition of being "displaced," the risks of impoverishment and social disarticulation, the rights and entitlements of those uprooted, and most importantly, how these groups can reconstruct their livelihoods. It uses a common set of concepts, derived from the impoverishment risks and reconstruction model. The world's interest in forced resettlers and refugees has considerably increased in the last two decades. There are some 30 million refugees and persons in a refugee-like situations in the world. About 10 million people around the world are displaced and resettled every year by development programs. Many governments, responding to national and international concerns, have strengthened their policies and assistance programs in this area. The purpose of Risks and Reconstruction is twofold: first, to analyze the risks faced by these populations and to disseminate problem-resolution approaches, good safeguarding practices, successful reconstruction and development experiences; second, to explore the possible synergies between refugee research and resettlement research and deepen understanding of these issues. In the book, scholars and practitioners report on new empirical research, ideas and development projects from many parts of the world, including China, India, Africa, Argentina, Colombia, Greece. Although this volume focuses on developing countries, experiences from developed countries are also discussed. Risks and Reconstruction is an invaluable reference tool for policymakers, academics, development practitioners, nongovernmental organizations, aid and refugee agencies, and anyone interested in today's international development issues During the last two decades of the previous century, the magnitude of forced population displacements caused by development programs was on the order of 10 million people each year, or some 200 million people globally during that period.