The intention of this research was to examine the potential of the existing resettlement and livelihoods restoration programs to address livelihood sustainability of the resettled communities associated with the Nam Theun 2 Hydropower Project in Lao PDR. In order to fulfil the primary aim for this research, three key research conclusions can be discerned.
Firstly, the Nakai resettlement and livelihood restoration programs have shown to date the potential to strengthen local capacities particularly through the increased access to various livelihood assets and resources. With resettlement, Nakai resettlers have been experiencing a significant improvement of physical capital (such as better housing, improved road access and communication technologies, greater electricity and water supply, sanitation facilities and production equipment). The improved access to physical capital following the resettlement has further enhanced resettlers’ ability to gain access to human, social and financial capitals (such as improved health and education status, social connections, and increased access to markets and employment). The capacity to access these resources is seen to be vital for the reconstruction of the resettlers’ livelihoods and potentially can be crucial for the achievement of long-term livelihood sustainability.
Page | 149 Secondly, the study suggests that the Nakai resettlement and livelihood restoration scheme has to date supported the resettlers on the Nakai Plateau in gaining a number of positive livelihood experiences. These extend beyond economic or monetary gains through increased income and access to employment, to also include other social and psychological benefits such as better health care and education, improved a sense of security and self-esteem. All of these achievements were also found to be fundamental for resettlers in realizing their own livelihood goals and objectives in the future.
And finally, although the results of this study have identified some challenges experienced by resettlers such as the reduction of agricultural and grazing land area, none were mentioned or perceived to be major threats that were preventing them from achieving their livelihood objectives. Instead, the experience with the NT2 project has highlighted one of the key lessons learnt from previous resettlement programs that is worth highlighting for future resettlement program mitigation associated with development projects. That is to have the resettlers fully engaged in the entire process of livelihood strategy development. At the end of the day, it is the affected population themselves who will be enduring the impacts of those programs and that they are completely entitled to make their own decisions on their livelihoods. If they do, this case study indicates the outcomes are likely to be positive and more favourable.
As this research was conducted in 2011, however, the NT2 project is roughly half-way through the livelihood development period. It is therefore not yet the appropriate time to determine whether the resettlement process has been a complete success. While it is apparent that the process to date has successfully strengthened the resettlers capabilities and access to various livelihood capitals that are important to the restructuring of their livelihoods, and the majority of resettled people currently feel that they are much better off, it will be some time before it is clear whether these successes are sufficient and can be sustained over the longer term. As time goes by and conditions continue to change, new and unexpected challenges will arise. It is essential that the project continues to develop adaptive mitigation strategies to respond to these changes
Page | 150 quickly and flexibly in order to pursue the project’s broader resettlement objective: sustainably improved livelihoods for all those who have been resettled.
As the hydropower sector has become and will continue to grow as a potential driver of economic and social development in the future for the Lao PDR, more and more people will be increasingly displaced and resettled as a consequence. It therefore requires the GOL together with hydropower project developers to continue developing sound resettlement policies, plans and strategies to address the impact of displacement and resettlement in a more sustainable manner. Drawing from the experiences and the lessons learnt from the NT2 project case study, this thesis proposes that future resettlement mitigation or improvement associated with hydropower development projects (or other development projects in general) should consider rebuilding different livelihood capitals and increasing local capabilities to access those resources as crucial. This is because the capability and accessibility to these resources are crucially important to the reconstruction of resettlers’ livelihoods and to the achievement of their own livelihood goals and objectives in the future. Most importantly, an active and more meaningful participation of the affected communities must be encouraged throughout the process of livelihood strategy development. This is to ensure that the resettled people are fully informed about alternative options and possible known impacts of the project, and they are given opportunity to participate in key decisions that would affect their lives. If these aspects are taken into account, future resettlement and livelihood reconstruction initiatives will likely be more successful and bring more positive results and outcomes.