Preventive Resettlement of Populations at Risk of Disaster

Major disasters since 1985, such the earthquake in Mexico and the Nevado del Ruiz

volcanic eruption in Colombia, have led governments to develop legislative and

institutional frameworks for disaster risk management; these reflect a paradigm shift

from an approach that focuses on emergency responses to one that reduces the risk

factors by incorporating disaster risk management strategies in the development

planning agendas.

Preventive resettlement of at-risk populations is now being implemented, among

other disaster risk reduction measures. This publication, Preventive Resettlement of

Populations at Risk of Disasters: Experiences from Latin America, presents case studies

illustrating how various countries have incorporated this measure in innovative ways.

Through examples included in this book, practitioners can compare the advantages

and disadvantages of various resettlement alternatives, as well as learn how institutions

have been organized and community awareness raised, the types of sources of financing

obtained, and how reclaimed areas have been controlled, providing important lessons

for future interventions.