Involuntary Resettlement

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The Resettlement Plan in the Project Cycle

What is an Initial Social Assessment (ISA)?

An ISA is an Initial Social Assessment conducted to identify:

• people who may be beneficially and adversely affected in general or specific terms
• key social dimensions (such as involuntary resettlement, indigenous peoples, poverty reduction, gender and NGOs) that need to be addressed during project processing
• policies and institutions to be involved.

ISA is required for every development project. It is undertaken as early as possible in the project cycle. It provides the basis for preparing the terms of reference for a social analysis of the project and for Resettlement Plan preparation.

What is a Resettlement Plan?

A time-bound action plan with budget setting out resettlement strategy, objectives, entitlement, actions, responsibilities, monitoring and evaluation. It is required for every project in which there are resettlement effects.

What are the key planning concepts in developing a Resettlement Plan?

The key planning concepts to be taken into account when developing a Resettlement Plan are:

• policy framework - does it already exist or are new policies needed?
• defining entitlements and eligibility - who will receive compensation and assistance for rehabilitation, and how will these measures be structured?
• vulnerable groups - will the needs of the poorest, those without legal title to assets, households headed by women, indigenous peoples, ethnic minorities, disabled, isolated communities, and pastoralists be met?
• budget - how will land acquisition and resettlement be financed?
• time line - how will land acquisition and resettlement fit into the overall development project schedule so the people affected are compensated and assisted before ground clearing and civil works commence?

What are the eleven essential elements of a Resettlement Plan?

The eleven essential elements are:

• organizational responsibilities
• community participation and integration with host populations
• socio-economic survey
• legal framework including mechanisms for resolution of conflicts and appeals procedures
• identification of alternative sites and selection
• valuation of and compensation for lost assets
• land ownership, tenure, acquisition, and transfer
• access to training, employment, and credit
• shelter, infrastructure, and social services
• environmental protection and management
• implementation schedule, budgets, and monitoring and evaluation

What is a Full Resettlement Plan?

A Full Resettlement Plan is required when resettlement effects are significant. "Significant" means 200 or more people will experience major impacts, which are defined as

• being physically displaced from housing, or


• losing 10% or more of their productive assets (income generating).

What is a Short Resettlement Plan?

A Short Resettlement Plan is required for projects with "insignificant" resettlement effects. It would, as necessary, summarize:

• the numbers affected and extent of losses
• the policies and legal framework applicable
• arrangements made for asset valuation, compensation, relocation, rehabilitation, and environmental protection
• responsibilities in delivering and monitoring entitlements
• costs
• time frame for land acquisition and resettlement measures
• consultation and grievance mechanisms for people affected

Is a Resettlement Plan required for all ADB projects involving resettlement?

Yes. The ADB Policy on Involuntary Resettlement applies to all resettlement impacts, regardless of the numbers of people involved or the level of severity experienced. However, the level of details contained in the documentation varies according to the target group, complexity, scale, and severity of resettlement.

Are Resettlement Plans required for private sector projects?

Yes. The ADB Policy on Involuntary Resettlement applies to private sector projects that involve involuntary resettlement. The private developer responsible for executing the project prepares the RP, with the approval of the government agency exercising eminent domain. Project agreements would legally bind private sector partners to ADB policies.

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