Paper short abstract:

For people faced with flooding, their place attachment thus their land for farming, social networks and identity over powers the immediate needs of the policy makers to facilitate resettlement. Therefore, RBA is key in the resettlement process for inclusive resettlement program.

Paper long abstract:

As the global continues to experience severe disasters like flooding, different countries are implementing resettlement as one of the climate change adaptation measures. Malawi, a land locked country in sub–Saharan Africa, for several decades, has been planning to resettle people living along the Shire River Valley, however, this has been characterised as non-inclusive hence ignites tension. For the communities, the need to maintain their forefathers land for farming, their social networks and place identity were key. On the other hand, the policy makers’ goal was to implement climate adaptation policies that aimed at resettling people to high and new places hence distracting their place attachment. Kita, (2017) attributed to the trend of people moving back to the flood plains after being resettled as a result of uncoordinated resettlement program and minimal community participation.

This study found that resettlement programs downplay community voice especially on how resettlement should be implemented, when and where to resettle results in mistrust. For instance, this study revealed that the resettlers have been suspecting that the government is capitalising on their vulnerability to flooding as a means of acquiring their land once they agree to resettle. Evidence has shown that, because resettlement relies on the resettlers’ decision, inadequate information and awareness produces undesirable results (Patt and Schröter, 2008). It can thus be concluded that resettlement processes require a holistic approach and strong RBA unlike just concentrating on moving the people, but also raising awareness of the programme’s goals and promoting community rights and voice.