Human Displacement

Human Displacement refers to the forced movement of people from their home, or country of origin Displacement is also interchangeable with the term forced migration. Human Displacement can be a result of many different factors. These usually fall under the three broader categories of 1.) Disaster Induced Displacement 2.) Conflict Induced Displacement or 3.) Development Induced Displacement. Displacement can happen to anything that is living; however it is the most prevalent when applied to the human population, with a seemingly endless list of causes. Disaster induced displacement results in populations moving due to significant damage, or the changing environment not allowing the continued support network needed for a human population to survive. Development induced displacement results from individuals being displaced due to the continued development-taking place on earth. Conflict induced displacement results in displacement of one group due to conflict with another group. Generally all forms of displacement fall under these three headlines.

Causes

Disaster Induced Displacement

Disaster is classified as any natural force, or event with catastrophic consequences. Anything that falls under the category of a natural disaster can result in disaster-induced displacement. Some examples of the most common catastrophic disasters include, tropical cyclones, blizzards, avalanches, earthquakes, floods, landslides, heat waves, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions and wildfires. Climate change is another environmental concern of human displacement due to the possibility of sea level rise. The amount of people who will be impacted is unknown due to the unknown of how much the sea level will in fact rise. What is known is three quarters of earth’s mega cities are located by the sea. It was also estimated by 2010 that 80% of the human population would live within 60 miles of a coast . The rising global temperature has also resulted in more powerful, and catastrophic weather related disasters.

Development Induced Displacement

Development induced displacement comes from a result of development. This can come due to many different types of development and can affect almost anyone if plans are approved to develop or redevelop a certain area of land otherwise inhabited or used by individuals. Usually these developments are motivated by economic development. These developments can come as a result of infrastructure development for transportation, housing, urbanization, production of natural resources (example: Mining, forestry) and conservation efforts. Gentrification is another cause of displacement through development. Gentrification unlike many other development-induced displacements doesn’t drastically change the landscape of a location like that of the Three Gorges Dam. Gentrification occurs due to redevelopment in a once less desirable area. This is due to the neighbourhood becoming more desirable, resulting in increased housing price. With increased pricing comes the potential displacement of the lower income population currently living within this neighbourhood.

Conflict Induced Displacement

Conflict Induced Displacement comes from any conflict between two parties resulting in one being forced to move. This form of displacement results from human interaction. Examples of conflict-induced displacement include, war, civil war, or any other forced movement due to persecution, whether this is because of race, religion or political views.

Examples

Examples are being drawn from recent events, of large-scale human displacement. Other examples are chosen trying to relate the topics touched on in the University of British Columbia course Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice 224 (GRSJ224) and the human displacement that has occurred as a result. Thousand of examples are available where humans have been displaced due to events related to disaster, development and conflict.

Disaster Induced Displacement

Typhoon Haiyan hit landfall in the Philippines on Friday, November 7, 2013. Haiyan is the strongest storm ever recorded when it hit landfall. Typhoons, Cyclones and Hurricanes generate greater power from warmer water temperatures. This is where the issue of climate change is once again of concern. As the global temperature rises, water temperatures rise as well. This will result in continually stronger storms being recorded worldwide. It is estimated by the United Nations that over 4.1 million people were temporarily or permanently displaced as a result of this storm. In this same report it was estimated that over 22 million were displaced due to climate, weather related occurrences and natural disasters in 2013 alone, making this form of displacement of humans the most prevalent in a single year .

Development Induced Displacement

China

The Three Gorges Dam in China that spans the Yangtze River is an example of development that has displaced a large number of people. The official number of people displaced by the construction of this dam is 1.2 million. Although that is the official number it has been estimated that this number is much higher, some estimates believe the total number of individuals who were displaced as a result of the construction of this dam is closer to 6 million . This comes from direct construction and flooding behind the dam. And the indirect environmental effects associated with the development of the dam.

Canada - Vancouver, British Columbia

Gentrification processes are currently taking place in the Downtown Eastside (DTES) of Vancouver. The DTES was once known as the “poorest postal code in Canada” however due to its location in relation to the downtown core of Vancouver it has become a very viable option for redevelopment. There are currently three apartment buildings in the process of being built in the DTES and six in the Strathcona district. Pricing for a one-bedroom apartment under 500 square feet starts at $225,000. The apartment buildings in the Strathcona district start at a slightly higher price. In 2006, the median household income in the DTES was $13,691. Of the entire 18,023-person population in the DTES 9606 individuals were classified as low income. This accounts for 53.3% of the population in this area living below the poverty line. These new developments are far out of the price range of most individuals living in this area. This then results in a major influx in a new, wealthier population residing in these neighbourhoods. As more development in this area happens the effects of gentrification and the speed at which it happens will increase exponentially. Resulting in development induced displacement of the current population inhabiting this area in Vancouver.

Conflict Induced Displacement

Syria

The Syrian Civil War that is currently happening has resulted in a large number of refugees in neighboring countries, and internally displaced individuals. It is estimated by the UN that 2.5 million refugees are living in neighboring countries while 6.5 million are internally displaced within the country due to this conflict. This combined number accounts for 40% of Syria’s prewar population . Worldwide it is estimated that currently there is 51.2 million people displaced due to conflict. This includes 16.7 million refugees, 33.3 million internally displaced and 1.2 million seeking asylum .

Canada

The aboriginal population in Canada has been susceptible to conflict induced displacement since the first European settlers came to Canada. This displacement began in the early 1600's with the establishment of the fur trade in North America.Colonial practices adopted during the 1830’s had three goals of protecting, civilizing and assimilating when it came to dealing with the aboriginal population . During colonialism aboriginals were internally displaced by the large influx in European settlers coming to Canada. “They were denied access to their traditional territories and in many cases actually forced to move to new locations selected for them by colonial authorities” . The aboriginal population was no match for the sheer numbers, technology and economic and military strength that these new European settles possessed.

These locations that were selected can be seen in the current system in Canada with area set aside for the Aboriginal population called Reserves. The Indian Act, that was established in Canada classifies an “Indian Reserve” as land held by the Crown “for the use and benefit of the respective bands for which they were set apart” under treaties or other agreements. In 2011 the total population of Aboriginals having their status of Aboriginal identity was 697,510, of this population 360,620 lived on “Indian reserves” . This shows the shear numbers of a population that lives in areas decided upon by the Canadian government.

References

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