Analysis on resettlement process : landslide disaster

Abstract

The landslide is one of the major disaster event in Sri Lanka, which has increased its frequency and after it strikes leave people homeless than any other disaster event. However, setting of pre and post disaster activities like mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery and development have very important roles in reducing the future hazard risks in disaster prone areas. Resettlement has been a major policy in post-disaster reconstructions in developing countries. However, resettlement can result and has resulted in significant adverse impacts on the resettled population. In this study, factors affecting to failure in landslide resettlements in Sri Lanka and related issues are addressed while proposing a suitable framework for landslide disaster resettlement for the future resilience in Sri Lanka. Data was gathered through structured interviews with implementing agencies and affected communities of selected four landslide resettlement cases of Sri Lanka. The findings reveal that, there is no systematic procedure/approached is used in any of selected landslide resettlement programs. Limited studies on climate and history of natural hazards, participation by different institutions in sectors, need and capacity assessment, socio-economic and cultural studies, coordination among the stakeholders, prevent the settlement in affected and at-risk areas, rational decision making on resettlement alternatives and options, safety assessment, accessibility to existing public and social infrastructure and livelihood opportunities, community involvement in house designing and consideration of socio-cultural values of the affected community are the main factors affecting landslide resettlement programs in Sri Lanka.