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

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