Understanding the root causes

People often move for different reasons than those assumed by aid-givers.

It is necessary to understand the cause of displacement in order to determine the most appropriate prevention, assistance, and recovery efforts. In armed conflict situations, for example, displacement may occur because of fear, harassment or direct threat to life. Repatriation would involve resolution of the security problem. Displacement may be prompted by destruction of property, collapse of the economy, unemployment, or absence of essential services thus successful resettlement may depend on providing employment opportunities and development assistance.

Since causes vary in most types of emergencies where displacement occurs, policy-makers and program implementors should be wary of statistics that treat all "displaced people" as if they were a homogeneous group. In fact, no groups of displaced people are alike and each group is made up of unique individuals. A high priority should be given to talking with the displaced to learn how they perceive their circumstances and what their future plans are. Interviews, surveys and other interactive assessment techniques can be useful. People often move for different reasons than those assumed by aid-givers and plans and programs are most successful when accurately based.