Socioeconomic Impacts of Development-Induced Displacement on Informal Settlement in Qalacha Khamdan, Kabul City, Afghanistan

Abstract

Development-induced displacement projects mainly involved locations with informal settlements, especially slum and squatter areas which left behind many socioeconomic impacts on displacement households. This forced displacement has caused breaking living patterns and social networks, destroying economic status, increasing infectious diseases, and other severe health problems. Many development projects, such as dam projects, airports, and road projects, have been implemented since 2001 in Afghanistan. The Kabul-Logar Road extension project, located on the southern side of Kabul city, has foreseen will destroy the existing socioeconomic status of Qalacha Khamdan's dwellers. Therefore, this paper examines the socioeconomic impacts of development-induced displacement on informal settlements in Qalacha Khamdan by the Kabul-Logar Road extension project. Data has been collected through site observation, questionnaires survey of heads of families affected, interviews with key informants, committees’ members, and some data from Cernea's model (IRR). The finding shows that the displaced population has lost social cohesion, social ties, close connectivity with brothers, relatives and neighbourhoods, businesses, valuable lands and well-designed homes. Finally, this study argues for more government and private sector involvement to manage the socioeconomic impacts of development-induced displacement after displacement.