Development of post-disaster resettlement strategies for Sri Lanka

A disaster is known as an unexpected hazardous event that impacts the communities through extensive damage, disruption and potential fatalities, which makes the affected communities seek external assistance to recover from the impact. Post-Disaster Resettlement (PDR) has been identified as a good option to convert the destructive zone into a sustainable society with long term developmental guidance. PDR projects can be defined as a complex process that deals with uncertainty and change the facility partially or entirely by replacement. The success of PDR programmes highly influences the mitigation and preparedness phases of the next disaster. Currently, PDR projects in Sri Lanka are not at the required success level due to different types of social and economic challenges. This study, therefore, aimed to identify and develop suitable post-disaster resettlement strategies for the successful development of PDR projects in Sri Lanka. A qualitative research stance was used for the proposed research as it requires in-depth inquiry into the PDR strategies. The research developed twelve strategies to succeed with PDR projects in Sri Lanka. The required knowledge sharing among parties of the PDR project, and using disaster-affected communities for managing and controlling of the PDR project are the main key strategies. The study highlighted the importance of PDR strategies to Sri Lanka, factors considered when developing PDR strategies, the shortcomings that have been witnessed in past PDR projects, and the possible ways of developing appropriate PDR strategies for Sri Lanka. Further, the study identified the levels that each strategy must implement in the resettlement process.