Development impacts on resettled IDPs : an assessement of the interventions channeled through the IDP camps in Mannar district, Sri Lanka

Abstract

This research strived to assess the impact of development interventions channeled through IDP camps on key development aspects of resettled IDPs. The key finding was that given the optimum efforts of all the stake holders including the government and also the major constraints faced by them, the resettlement approach adopted was ad-hoc and ineffective except in the areas of education and health resulting in a lack of positive impact on the QOL of resettled IDPs. The key recommendations of the research are to revisit the resettlement scenario and initiate vocational and technical training schools, draw up a policy on housing for resettled IDPs, along with bi-lateral and donor support and INGOs commence programs to improve the health conditions and productivity of IDPs; facilitate the initiation of large scale businesses and invite private sector investments to absorb unutilized labor amongst the IDP community; initiate a program to identify through a needs assessment survey to ensure that the IDPs are resettled in the future with dignity and enhanced quality of life and the government to follow internationally accepted guiding principles on internal displacement. Finally, based on the lessons learnt of the resettlement approach adopted, the researcher constructed a resettlement model which presents a systematic and integrated approach that can be used in a similar situation anywhere in the world to ensure a durable and sustainable solution either in an IDP or refugee situation. Key Words: Resettlement, IDPs, Quality of Life, Need Based Programs, Development Interventions, Durable and Sustainable Solution, Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, Resettlement Model