Resettlement

Abstract

The chapter argues that International Resettlement Standards spend too much time on individual entitlements and the decision to move communities and not enough consideration is given to relationships and post-move reconstruction. What those being resettled need is a team of familiar helpers who they know, who speak their language, and who will be with them on the journey. Resettlement needs the application of systematic community relations including a social baseline, an understanding of how the community works, consultation, and local development ideas since the aim is to move familiar social organization, not just individuals and households. The physical environment must be understood in terms of the meanings, sights, sounds and smells, birds and animals, and trees and plants remembered by those who have grown up in it.