Reassessing Internal Displacement in South Asia

Displacement is by no means a new phenomenon in South Asia. As they emerged as independent states, at least half of the South Asian countries experienced mass displacement. In Bangladesh it is estimated that at least one-third of citizens were displaced as a result of the war of independence. The struggle of nation building over successive decades created a series of displacement as a result of a variety of developments including the re-drawing of boundaries, and the intensification of ethno-political and religious conflicts. In addition the development needs of these countries have also resulted in communities being forced to move for macro-development projects. The vulnerability of the South Asian region to natural disasters has been an added factor. Hence, the problem of IDPs has endured and as the chapter on displacement in Bangladesh notes “The processes through [which] internally displaced people are generated have become much more diversified and complex”.