Abstract:
The main purpose of this study was to explore the effects of Hydroelectric Dam Induced
Resettlement on the Livelihood of Displaced People: The case of Resettled Households in Bulbul
Village, Jimma Zone of Oromia National Regional State. It mainly attempted to explore issues
such as the process involved in resettling the displaced households to Bulbul village; the positive
and negative effects of Gilgel Gibe I dam development and resettlement on livelihoods of
households in the study area; description of the community's resilience and coping mechanisms
to tackle the negative effects of dam-induced dislocation; and post-resettlement and livelihood
reconstruction/ re-establishment of the resettled people in Bulbul village. In order to achieve the
stated objectives, the research selected a qualitative research approach and a narrative
descriptive study design. The study employed purposive sampling method and empirical data
was collected from 2 resettlement sites of Bulbul village, Sites 5 and 6., which was selected due
to its ease of road accessibility. For this reason, this thesis relied on the following data
collection methods: In depth interviews, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and
document analysis. Participants who engaged in Focus Group Discussion and in-depth interview
were also been selected based on their prior participation and detail knowledge of the GG I
dam-induced development and resettlement program. With regard to the instruments for data
collection, while FGD guide was used for focus group discussants, an interview guide for
interviewees and key informants respectively. For data analysis, thematic analysis was used and
the collected data was transcribed and interpreted accordingly. Thus, the findings revealed that
the dam development and resettlement imposed range of negative effects on livelihoods of the
resettled community. In this regard the communities’ assets and activities were found declining.
In order to improve livelihood status of the resettled people, the study finally recommended that
all kinds of community assets should be valued properly during compensation of relocates,
attempts should be made by the concerned government body to restore the lost livelihood
activities, livelihood associated risks need to be minimized, especial attention should be given to
