Resilient Resettlement Strategies for Marginalized Population: A case of Sampanna Basti, Biratnagar 12

Abstract

Nepal, characterized by its diverse ethnicity, encompasses numerous marginalized groups that struggle with challenges like inadequate land ownership and limited access to essential services. These disadvantaged communities are the ones that are most affected during disasters. Nepal has initiated several resettlement initiatives for affected communities to deal the issues of poverty, landlessness, and enhance living standards. However, these projects often tend to neglect the elements of resilience and sustainability, resulting in unsuccessful resettlements. Therefore, it is essential to integrate resilience into the planning process right from the start, ensuring the effectiveness and success of resettlement. This study explores resettlement initiative as applied to marginalized populations, focusing on the case of Sampanna Basti in Biratnagar-12. Field observation, key-informant interview, questionnaire survey has been done to understand the approach of resettlement and its challenges. It studies the real ground issues from the ’Sampanna Basti’ resettlement project in Biratnagar-12, initiated by collaboration of local bodies, NGOs and INGOs, by considering factors of resilience such as community engagement, socio-economic considerations, infrastructure development, institutional support, and disaster risk reduction measures.