Development Induced Aid Displacement and Remedy

 
 
 

I conduct collaborative research to understand how displacement caused by aid projects impacts people's lives in Haiti, and how remedy for previous displacement does or does not improve lives. 

  • Aid organizations have historically financed large projects that cause harm to beneficiaries. When beneficiaries appeal for compensation or remedy for harms, there are additional barriers and difficulties. 

    • How do small grassroots groups of displaced individuals navigate the bureaucracies of aid agencies? How are their lives affected by displacement and the ensuing pursuit of compensation?

    • How can social science research methods be used to prevent future displacements and landgrabs?

    • Interviewed displaced family members with non-profit lawyers at Accountability Counsel. 

    • Working with grassroots groups in Haiti and NYU School of Law on Northern Haiti Land Observatory 

    • Getting a large international financial institution to agree to remedy seems like the key goal for small grassroots organizations, but it is the beginning of a larger fight. 

    • Delays in remedy in areas with political economic instability mean that individuals continue to suffer unnecesssarily. 

    • Remedy has to be in a form that is quickly disbursed and immediately resolves the loss of farmer's capital. 

    • Elites and international institutions have succeeded in land grabs by taking advantage of farmer's limited literacy, vague or unclear land documentation, and an unreliable legal system.