Resettlement
Overview
Resettlement is the process by which people who are physically displaced by an infrastructure project are supported to re-establish their housing, living arrangements and livelihoods.
In the context of a new hydropower project, resettlement may arise when the land most suited to development is owned, occupied or used by local communities.
Resettlement can be a highly sensitive issue and needs to be handled with great care and commitment. It is especially important to ensure that the dignity and human rights of those affected by resettlement are respected.
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Resettlement processes are challenging in the best of circumstances, and present real risks to the implementation of a hydropower project. A clear strategy is required to assess, manage and, where possible, avoid any potentially negative impacts on affected communities.
The Hydropower Sustainability Tools together with IHA’s How-to Guide on Hydropower Resettlement can be used to ensure that resettlement is performed in accordance with good practice and with due consideration to affected communities.
Guidance
Good practice
The Hydropower Sustainability Tools address resettlement and provide guidance on good and best practices in hydropower development.
Good practice is defined as improving the lives of resettlees as well as ensuring that their dignity and human rights are respected at all stages of the resettlement process.
The tools are governed by a multi-stakeholder council, the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Council.
How-to guide
The How-to Guide on Hydropower Resettlement provides a strategic overview and guiding principles to help inform the steps of the resettlement process at each stage of the project development cycle.
The guide encourages developers to place adequate weighting on pre-development assessment to evaluate whether resettlement is suitable.
In addition, it encourages developers to take a conscientious, holistic approach to analysing the effects of resettlement and how those affected may be compensated and cultural heritage protected.
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Further reading
Learn more about achieving and assessing good practice in resettlement by visiting hydrosustainability.org/resettlement.
Latest associated content
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IHA publishes guide on responsible resettlement
Resettlement in hydropower needs to be handled with care and commitment, respecting the dignity and human rights of those affected.
Type:News postDate:29 October 2020 -
Gabon's Dibwangui project achieves global good practice in ESG assessment
25 August 2020
The Dibwangui hydropower project in Gabon has been rated as an example of international good practice in sustainability design and planning, following an independent assessment.
Type:News postDate:25 August 2020 -
Hydropower assessment tools aligned with World Bank standards
Sustainability assessment tools have been enhanced to better align with ESG requirements set by international financial institutions such as IFC and the World Bank.
Type:News postDate:7 May 2020 -
Q&A: Indigenous Peoples, FPIC and hydropower
In May 2020, the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Council updated the Hydropower Sustainability Tools, which are used by independent assessors to assess a hydropower project’s performance
Type:News postDate:7 May 2020 -
IHA launches $1m assessment fund for sustainable hydropower projects
First call for proposals announced with April 2020 application deadline
Type:News postDate:18 February 2020
