Citation

Badri SA, Asgary A, Eftekhari AR, Levy J. Disasters 2006; 30(4): 451-468.

Affiliation

University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.0361-3666.2006.00332.x

PMID

17100753

Abstract

Planned and involuntary resettlement after natural disasters has been a major policy in post-disaster reconstruction in developing countries over the past few decades. Studies show that resettlement can result in significant adverse impacts on the resettled population. Conversely, a well-planned and managed resettlement process can produce positive long-term development outcomes. This article presents the results of a case study undertaken 11 years after the 1990 Manjil earthquake in Iran. During the reconstruction period, a policy of involuntary planned resettlement was pursued extensively. The socioeconomic changes that occurred as a consequence of this policy of involuntary resettlement are analysed. Data were collected via a questionnaire survey that involved a sample of 194 relocated households (grouped into a settlement that later became a town). The paper shows that relocated families face difficult socioeconomic challenges after relocation and regrouping. This is especially true with respect to employment, income, the empowerment of women and lifestyle issues.

Language: en