The Impacts of Development Induced Displacements

This book seeks to examine the potential impacts of development induced displacements on displaced communities and the impoverishment risks they trigger, while analysing the Resettlement Plan of the Limbe Shipyard Project as a case study (a gigantic engineering complex for the repair of ships and oil rigs). Besides, the ethical and human rights dimensions of development induced displacements are examined, which are often ignored during planning and implementation phases of most projects. The methods used are based on the administration of questionnaires, focused group discussions, interviews and participant observations during field work in July and August 2005 and January and March 2007 in Cameroon, together with secondary data informed the conclusion that, "the Resettlement Plan of the Limbe Shipyard Project adversely affects the livelihoods of the displaced local community of Limbola". Furthermore, this study highlights the fact that displacement of local people which do not uplift the living standards of local communities, is viewed as a "development pathology" that has to be avoided.