The dynamics of farmer migration and resettlement in the Dhidhessa River Basin, Ethiopia

Journal article (2020)

Authors

M.D. Teweldebrihan IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, Water Resources - CEG
S. Pande Water Resources - CEG
M.E. McClain IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, Water Resources - CEG
Research Group
Water Resources (CEG) (TU Delft)
Migration Drought Relocation Arjo-Dhidhessa Dam Dhidhessa River Basin
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Published Date

2020

Language

English

Faculty

Civil Engineering & Geosciences

Department

Water Management

Research Group

Water Resources

Abstract

The Dhidhessa River Basin (DRB), in the Abbay River Basin in Ethiopia, is undergoing large-scale dam construction for sugarcane irrigation. We focused on the dynamics of population migration, settlement, relocation and water resource development in the DRB using primary and secondary data. Two major migration waves were observed in the basin: the first in 1984–1986 during a severe drought and the second during 2005–2017. Most rural migrants were “pulled” by government initiative in the period 1984–2017, while a few migrated of their own accord due to famine. We found that the first migration wave from eastern Ethiopia (Harar) to DRB was due to scarcity of water, land and rainfall and the migration positively affected migrant livelihoods. In the second phase, dam construction displaced settled farmers and migrants, adversely affecting their livelihoods. Analysis is needed that considers the wellbeing of the displaced agrarian society and the migrant population in the dam-affected area.