Involuntary Resettlement

Involuntary Resettlement Categorization

Introduction

Projects¹ are assigned an involuntary resettlement category depending on the significance of the probable involuntary resettlement impacts. "Significant" means 200 or more people will experience major impacts. Major impacts are

• being physically displaced from housing or
• losing 10% or more of productive assets or both.

Initial screening for involuntary resettlement is to be conducted as early as possible in the project cycle, at the project concept stage where feasible, and no later than project or program preparatory technical assistance, project preparatory note fact-finding, or due diligence.

Instructions

1. The checklist and categorization form [ Doc: 71kb | 3 pages ] is to be completed by the Project Team Leader (PTL) with the assistance of a Resettlement Specialist or Social Development Specialist in the Operations Department. This form, endorsed by the Sector Division Director, is then submitted by the PTL to the Environment and Social Safeguard Division (RSES) for endorsement by RSES Director, and for approval by the Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) of the Regional and Sustainable Development Department (RSDD).
2. The involuntary resettlement categorization of a project is a continuing process. If there is a change in a project that may result in category change, the Sector Division should resubmit a categorization form for endorsement by RSES Director and approval by the CCO. The previous checklist should be attached to the revised checklist for reference.
3. When forwarding the IR screening and categorization form, please use the cover memo template [ Doc: 33kb | 1 page ] provided.