Involuntary Resettlement

Important Information on ADB Safeguards The new Safeguard Policy Statement [PDF] and Operations Manual Section F1 [PDF] on safeguard review procedures has become effective on 20 January 2010. Spotlight Safeguard Policy Statement English Russian Lao Khmer Vietnamese Read OM Section F1

Involuntary Resettlement
Updated: 26 January 2010

Why Involuntary Resettlement?

ADB experience indicates that involuntary resettlement under development projects, if unmitigated, could give rise to severe economic, social, and environmental risks. Under involuntary resettlement, production systems are dismantled; people face impoverishment when their productive assets or income sources are lost; people are relocated to environments where their productive skills may be less applicable and the competition for resources greater; community institutions and social networks are weakened; kin groups are dispersed; and cultural identity, traditional authority, and the potential for mutual help are diminished or lost.

ADB seeks to avoid involuntary resettlement wherever possible; to minimize involuntary resettlement by exploring project and design alternatives; to restore or enhance livelihoods of displaced persons relative to pre-project levels; and to improve the standards of living of the affected poor and other vulnerable groups.

Strengthening ADB's safeguard capacity, the Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS) (2009) was approved, bringing together three safeguard policies under one umbrella. Within the unified policy are clearly established safeguard policy principles and requirements (for borrowers/clients) on environment, involuntary resettlement, and indigenous peoples, as well as a policy delivery process, and the overall ADB policy approach to strengthening and using country safeguard systems.

The SPS also delineates the responsibilities and roles of ADB and its borrowers/clients. The new policy comes at a critical time when ADB is scaling up its assistance to developing member countries in promoting environmentally sustainable and inclusive economic growth. It will enhance the development impact of ADB projects, as well as strengthen developing member countries' own safeguard systems and capacity to manage environmental and social risks of development projects.

Find more information on Safeguard Policy Statement (2009):

Safeguards
2009 Safeguards Policy Statement [PDF]
Safeguards Review Procedures [PDF]
Strengthening Country Safeguard Systems