The achievement of relative peace in Northern Uganda in 2006, was the stardom to end the mass internal displacement for over 1.8 million people. Return and resettlement became the major task for recovery and development. It is not only the time and intensity of the Northern Ugandan conflict influencing people’s decision to
leave the displacement camps to return to their former place residence, but certain requirements need to be met as well as obstacles overcome. This study identifies and describes these requirements based upon a broad literature review.
Basic services and infrastructure, such as health care, clean water sources and schools need to be reconstructed, as they are essential to ensure basic human needs. The most vulnerable and war affected individuals, such as the elderly, sick, disabled, widows and orphans are the ones most reluctant to return and require special assistance. Shelter construction and solutions to land disputes are most crucial, as they are the major obstacles hindering the return process. The average income in the first year after return is almost half than that, ç which was earned during the last year in camp, making monetary empowerment and food security important
factors. Promised governmental resettlement packages have not been delivered sufficiently but are necessary, not only for successful return but also to compensate for the lack of justice. Governmental directives generate pressure for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) to leave the camps. Also, the land owners of the displacement camps want to see the IDPs gone, as they want to make use of their
land. The major factor pushing people to leave the camps however are the unfavourable living conditions in the overcrowded camps. This goes hand in hand with the hope to find freedom in the place one can call home. The possibility to be in accordance with individual beliefs and in harmony with culture, nature and tradition, generates the wish to leave the displacement camps. Nevertheless, all requirements for successful return and resettlement after long term internal displacement in Northern Uganda are only valid if the uttermost condition of lasting peace and political stability can be guaranteed first.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Initial situation and problem definition
- Background
- Uganda: land and people
- The stardom of the LRA and Joseph Kony
- Legal framework: IDPs and refugees
- Displacement
- Profile of IDPs in Northern Uganda
- Peace process
- Peace vs. Justice
- Amnesty for LRA fighters
- The intervention from the International Criminal Court
- Juba Peace Talks
- Where the LRA went and their current actions
- Return = resettlement = reintegration?
- Patterns of return in Northern Uganda
- The role of the Government of Uganda
- Peace, Recovery and Development Plan for Northern Uganda
- Camp phase out guidelines
- Theoretical approaches
- Lee's push and pull factors
- Conditions affecting the rate of return in conflict areas
- Economic Prospects
- Vulnerability
- Time
- Intensity
- Requirements, factors and obstacles of return
- Availability of services and infrastructure
- Roads
- Education
- Health
- Police
- Water
- Monetary funds and income
- Resettlement kits
- Landmines
- Government deadlines
- The end of food rations
- Pressure from hosting population
- Shelter
- Assistance
- Unfavourable conditions in the camps
- Special cases
- Land conflicts
- Formerly abducted persons
- Extremely Vulnerable Individuals (EVIS)
- Discussion and conclusion
- Limitation
- Literature
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This thesis examines the requirements for successful return and resettlement after long-term internal displacement, using the case study of Northern Uganda. It aims to analyze the factors influencing the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their original homes and the challenges they face in reintegrating into their communities. The thesis explores the role of the government, international organizations, and local communities in supporting the return process.
- The impact of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) conflict on Northern Uganda and the displacement of its population.
- The challenges faced by IDPs in returning to their homes and reintegrating into society.
- The factors influencing the success of return and resettlement initiatives.
- The role of the government, international organizations, and local communities in supporting return and resettlement processes.
- The specific requirements for successful return and resettlement, including infrastructure, economic opportunities, security, and social services.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The thesis begins by outlining the initial situation in Northern Uganda, providing background information on the region, the conflict caused by the LRA, and the legal framework surrounding IDPs and refugees. It then delves into the displacement caused by the conflict, focusing on the profile of IDPs in Northern Uganda. The following chapters explore the peace process, highlighting key developments such as the peace talks, the involvement of the International Criminal Court, and the current status of the LRA.
The thesis then examines the concept of return, resettlement, and reintegration, before analyzing the patterns of return in Northern Uganda, focusing on the government's role in facilitating the process. It further delves into theoretical approaches to understanding return, including Lee's push and pull factors, and the conditions affecting the rate of return in conflict areas. Chapter 8 discusses the specific requirements, factors, and obstacles related to return, covering issues such as infrastructure, income, resettlement kits, landmines, government deadlines, pressure from the local population, and the conditions in the camps. Finally, the thesis examines special cases related to land conflicts, formerly abducted persons, and Extremely Vulnerable Individuals (EVIS), highlighting the specific challenges they face.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This thesis focuses on the complex issue of return and resettlement after long-term internal displacement, using the case study of Northern Uganda. The main keywords and themes include: Internal Displacement, Northern Uganda, Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), Peace Process, Return, Resettlement, Reintegration, Government of Uganda, International Organizations, Local Communities, Infrastructure, Economic Opportunities, Security, Social Services, Push and Pull Factors, Land Conflicts, Formerly Abducted Persons, Extremely Vulnerable Individuals (EVIS).
- Quote paper
- Etienne Salborn (Author), 2010, Requirements for successful return and resettlement after long term internal displacement, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/163462
