Involuntary Migration And Resettlement

Book excerpt: Involuntary migration occurs when there has been, or will be, a catastrophic change in people's environment and they have little or no choice but to relocate. Causes range from natural disasters to sociopolitical upheaval (war, revolution, pogrom) and even to planned changes (dams, atomic experimentation, urban renewal). Although there are excellent studies of specific instances of forced migration, this book is the first to address the broad scope of issues and the wide variety of contexts in which migration and resettlement schemes have occurred. The authors investigate the responses of dislocated people facing dislocation and resettlement and ask specifically: What are the common stresses of dislocation and resettlement? What are the patterns of individual and group reactions and strategies as people respond to the stresses and opportunities of relocation? What significant similarities and differences exist among situations of involuntary migration and how do these pressures relate to those faced by people who move voluntarily?