The story must be told

I believe that this story must be told. I believe that this case of resettlement holds powerful and important lessons to be learned for resettlement practice.  It is a case that was small enough to be able to follow all of the families closely and carefully.  It is a case where there were sufficient resources dedicated to the project that a minimally decent resettlement would have been possible, one in which access to water and land was ensured before the move.  It is a case where indeed, for the first few years, those designing and implementing the resettlement did their best, within their limitations, to engage in lengthy consideration of the many options and to make careful decisions.  It is a case in which the World Bank policy was followed, the implementation was monitored and the work was approved. 

Yet, despite all of the points in favor of this resettlement initiative, resettled people have been left without sufficient land, autonomy to control access to the resources they need, and without other means of making a living.  This points to the fact that the WB OP 4.12 policy is insufficient for protecting the wellbeing of resettled people. I believe that if resettlement must be carried out, resettling people should have power to control the resettlement process and post-resettlement conditions.