Opportunities and challenges of resettlement and protection of internally displaced persons in pader district (2005 – 2007)

Abstract

The study was conducted in Pader district, one of the districts that was worst affected by the LRA conflict in northern Uganda. 95% of the total population of Pader district were displaced into IDP camps and neighbouring districts, as a result of the twenty year old armed conflict in northern Uganda. With the improvements in the security situation from the year 2005 to date, the IDP population in Pader district have been resettling to either transit sites or homes of origin. The objective of the study was to find out the opportunities that the IDPs had for resettling; the challenges and protection threats that IDPs were exposed to during the resettlement process and to generate facts, figures and qualitative information on perceived needs and attitudes of IDPs towards resettlement in light of the ‘improved’ security situation in Northern Uganda. Data was collected from the field by use of questionnaires, and focus group discussions. Prior made reports and written materials from the UNHCR and other humanitarian agencies operating in the district like ICRC, UNICEF, WHO, OCHA, WFP and the district local government were also reviewed and consulted. Findings from the study are presented by use of tables, figures as well as descriptive methods. Findings from the study indicate that the IDPs were displaced in areas within and outside the district. Three resettlement patterns of the IDPs was established by the study; which include resettlement without movement among those that reside within a reasonable distance from their pre- displacement homes, resettlement with movement where the IDPs were resettling in sites within reasonable walking distance from their own land and resettlement in original homes of origin. These patterns were largely dependent on the opportunities and challenges they envisage to be faced with. The study also established that IDPs had a number of opportunities that they were utilizing to resettle. These opportunities were categorized into pull and push factors. Pull factors were conducive conditions in the areas of return that attracted the IDPs to move and settle in them such as desire to access more land for cultivation, less congestion and improved security situation. The push factors are those that are forcing the IDPs to resettle from the main camps to transit sites and villages of origin; these include evictions by land owners, congestion in the main camps, limited access to land and the negative changes in social morals. Findings of the study indicate that the resettling IDPs are experiencing a number of challenges in the form of uncertainness of the peace process, fear of mines and unexploded ordinances, lack of availability of adequate social and humanitarian services in areas of resettlement. Some of the challenges experienced by the IDPs during the resettlement process are due to the changes in their social lives and relations during the period of displacement. Other challenges were however due to structural problems such as the lack of availability of social service infrastructure in resettlement areas. Recommendations towards the improvement of the situation include more especially interventions in the areas of security, clearance of unexploded ordinances and other abandoned remnants of war, provision and rehabilitation of social service infrastructure and the need to involve and encourage the IDPs to participate in the resettlement, early recovery programmes and development programmes to enable them revitalize their means of livelihoods in a sustainable manne