What happens when resettlements focus on the physical environment : the aftermath of the resettlement process in a displaced community in Cartagena, Colombia

Abstract

Over three million people were affected in the country by the rain season associated with "La Niña" phenomenon between April 2010 and June 201. Likewise, Colombia has the second largest number of internally displaced persons in the world: 6.3 million trailing only Syria with 7.6 millions victims, and followed by Iraq with 3.3 million (IDMC 2015b). Given the magnitude of displacement, this problem contributes the largest number of human rights violations in the country (HRW 2005). This research studies the dilemmas that accompany resettlement processes; the involuntary physical and social isolation of residents from access to services and public facilities; the consequences for economic well-being and quality of life, and the improvement of the personal security from crime and violence. This research will answer the following question: Why do resettlement processes create deteriorated socioeconomic livelihoods and fragmented communities? This thesis finds that while resettlement processes provide new built environments to address the physical needs of the displaced population, they do not address the needs that perpetuate poverty, vulnerability, and marginalization. The research explores the challenges and dilemmas that those communities face in order to inform discussions related to the physical, economic, and social reconstruction of communities in the aftermath of displacement. It also analyses the parallels and contrasts between 28 displaced families that went through the sponsored government program of resettlement process, and 10 families that decided to reconstruct their lives outside that program. The goal is to re-exanimate the policy, the specific approach of the state, and the gains and losses for the resettlement process. This thesis identifies potential recommendations for other displaced communities and for policymakers and non-profit organizations, examining how housing is necessary but not sufficient to resettle sustainable and resilient communities.