This Handbook has been prepared for use by Bank staff, especially operational staff, consultants and staff of developing member country (DMC) executing agencies who play a role in resettlement planning and management in Bank-funded projects.
This Handbook is intended to complement the Bank’s policy on Involuntary Resettlement approved by the Bank’s Board in November 1995. The Handbook describes the resettlement process and operational requirements within the Bank’s project cycle. The Handbook is one of a series of publications that address the integration of social dimensions into Bank operations. The Handbook has nine chapters. Chapter 1 summarizes the Bank’s Policy, introduces the concept of resettlement losses, reviews likely resettlement effects in different project types, introduces the project cycle, and addresses some common questions in planning land acquisition and resettlement. Chapter 2 situates resettlement planning in the context of the Bank’s project cycle. It advises on the contents of full and short resettlement plans, and when to use each format. Checklists highlight the actions to be taken for resettlement at each stage of the project cycle. Chapter 3 elaborates upon key resettlement planning concepts, including the policy framework, entitlements, planning resettlement for vulnerable groups, social preparation phases, budgets, and time lines. Chapter 4 identifies opportunities for consultation with stakeholders during resettle ment planning and implementation, especially with people affected. Chapter 5 explains the main data collecting methods and their application to resettlement planning and implementation: census, surveys, and participatory rapid appraisals. Planning for relocation of housing and communities forms the basis of Chapter 6. Chapter 7 reviews income restoration strategies. Chapter 8 discusses the Institutional Framework. Internal and external monitoring and evaluation form the subject of Chapter 9. Most chapters end in a summary format and checklist showing key points for action in the project cycle. The Appendices contain further reading, sample terms of reference, information on resettlement policies in selected DMCs, and sample monitoring formats. We hope that this Handbook, which also draws upon examples of good practice in Bank projects, will meet the needs of planners and implementers to ensure that people affected by resettlement are at least as well off after the project as they were before it. We hope it leads to new ideas and approaches to restoring living conditions and livelihoods, including for vulnerable groups.