Abstract
Motivation
Development‐driven forced displacement results in the involuntary relocation and resettlement of millions of people worldwide.
Context
Those affected are usually given financial compensation, which has been found inadequate to restore their livelihoods. This has led to the adoption of complementary forms of support, such as benefit‐sharing mechanisms, the rebuilding and rehabilitation of people’s livelihoods, resettlement with development, and supportive systems and policies.
Approach and methods
This study compares several development projects that have extensively incorporated both monetary and other forms of compensation in their resettlement plans with the Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge (JMB) land‐acquisition and resettlement project in Bangladesh, in which financial compensation was the primary tool.
Findings
This study finds that cash compensation is insufficient and that other approaches show that more could be done to help those affected by development‐driven forced displacement.
Policy implications
The article presents an analysis and assessment of the policy implications of alternatives to cash compensation that could be effective in a country like Bangladesh.