Poverty risks from population displacement of ethnic minorities in Sungai Asap resettlement scheme, Sarawak

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to examine the poverty risks from population displacement of ethnic minorities in Sungai Asap Resettlement Scheme, Sarawak. Firstly, it will identify the different forms of impoverishment faced the various ethnic minorities (such Kayan, Kenyah, Ukit, Penan, Lahanan) after involuntary resettlement. Secondly, it will study the changes in the patterns of land use and natural resources in the resettled area and thirdly the measures taken to protect the lives and welfare of those displaced by the project, lose of economic potentials incurred by the affected people, assistance rendered in developing the potentials. This study will use Cernea's IRR model i.e. Impoverishment Risks and Reconstruction which revealed that forced population displacement may lead eight forms of impoverishment: unemployment, homelessness, landlessness, marginalization, food insecurity, loss of access to common property, erosion of health status a and social disharmony. This paper will also attempt to draw lessons learned from this resettlement exercise.