Preventive Resettlement of Populations at Risk of Disaster - GFDRR

options to resettle the population, including large housing complexes, new dwellings
built in risk-free areas in the same neighborhoods, exchanges of houses between families
whose homes were at risk and others whose were not, but who preferred to move to
the housing complexes and cash compensation.
The Colombia case involved the resettlement of 1,074 families in Bogotá within a rehabilitation,
reconstruction and sustainable development plan for the high-risk Nueva
Esperanza zone, which began in 2005. Its three components are: the environmental and
at-risk land reclamation, the strengthening of social organization and community participation,
and resettlement. This case illustrates a comprehensive approach to resettlement,
which required strong inter-institutional coordination. It also presents different
housing options including: the construction of new dwellings, the partnerships with
private construction companies and grassroots housing organizations, and the purchase
of homes on the market with the technical, legal and social support of the entity
responsible for the program.
In the Guatemala case, the approach was part of a government policy of reconstruction
with transformation developed after the Tropical Storm Stan disaster. The comprehensive
approach to risk management applied during reconstruction included preventive
resettlement of at-risk families. The study describes the experience of the districts (cantones)
of Panabaj and Tz’anchaj, in the municipality of Santiago Atitlán, Department
of Sololá, where 915 families were resettled since 2007. This experience demonstrates
the importance of community participation, of cultural aspects including inter-cultural
negotiations, institutional commitment to innovative practices in urban development
and housing design, and the achievements in rebuilding confidence in the State and
strengthening the social fabric.
Each case highlights experiences that can be replicated, from identifying at-risk populations
to the post-resettlement phase. The examples describe different methodological
and management tools for future processes, and key lessons about wise and unwise actions
taken. The cases also raise various questions for further research to enhance both
knowledge and practices in human resettlement.
The studies are summaries of technical papers written by various consultants. The full
technical papers are available upon request.
As noted in the Forward, this paper seeks to provide useful material for the design
and implementation of resettlement programs as part of comprehensive disaster risk
management strategies. The lessons can be applied by institutions and governments,
professionals working in the field, and at-risk communities.
Introduction
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