Publication: Social Cohesion, Economic Security, and Forced Displacement in the Long-Run: Evidence from Rural Colombia
Date
2022-04
ISSN
Published
2022-04
Author(s)
Tellez, Juan
Balcells, Laia
Abstract
Millions of people around the world
are internally displaced and yet—compared to other forms of
wartime victimization—scholars know relatively little about
the long-run consequences of displacement for victims. This
gap in the literature is problematic since displacement is
distinct from other forms of victimization and because IDPs
face unique challenges in post-conflict transitions. This
study contributes to the literature on the effects of
displacement in three ways. First, the study brings to bear
a unique sample of households in Colombia that is largely
homogeneous along key confounders–mostly poor, rural, and
conflict-afflicted— yet varies in their exposure to
displacement. Next, the study draws on a rich set of
covariates and outcomes to provide plausible estimates on
the long-run effects of internal displacement, finding that
a decade or more after displacement, victims experience
substantial negative welfare effects yet exhibit higher
levels of social cohesion than their counterparts. Finally,
combining a prediction framework with interviews with key
stakeholders and displacement victims, the study explores
variation in outcomes among victims, particularly why some
return home and seek reparations. The results reveal a wide
assortment of consequences from displacement and should help
inform policy-making bearing on support for internally
displaced people.
Citation
“Tellez, Juan; Balcells, Laia. 2022. Social Cohesion, Economic Security, and Forced Displacement in the Long-Run: Evidence from Rural Colombia. Policy Research Working Paper;10019. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/37395 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”
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