Involuntary resettlement occurs when, due to the construction of engineering works, convenient for a large part of the population, some families are harmed, since their homes are affected by the works and they must move to another location.

It can have traumatic consequences for the lives of those living in the area of ​​influence of large-scale infrastructure projects. It constitutes a sudden rupture in the continuity of the social fabric and may result in the impoverishment of the relocated population. The changes it causes can be distinguished from normal development processes in that it disrupts settlement patterns and forms of production, disrupts social networks, and reduces people's sense of control over their lives. It can constitute a threat to your cultural identity and cause serious health problems. Added to the difficulties entailed by the displacement of social groups are those entailed by their resettlement in new places and the reestablishment of sustainable economic and social systems.

Resettlement, when poorly planned or poorly executed, always constitutes a significant additional cost to the main project and can have long-term effects on the affected population and the surrounding region. It can cause local resistance and political tension, as well as significant delays in project implementation, resulting in cost overruns, lower project benefits, and, in extreme cases, even project suspension. This additional cost is almost always greater than the investment that would have been necessary to plan and implement an acceptable resettlement program.

International financial organizations, such as the Inter-American Development Bank or the World Bank, consider the involuntary resettlement of people affected by development projects as a situation to be avoided as much as possible and minimized in all cases, and when it is inevitable, that involuntary resettlement be transformed into an opportunity for the development of the affected people.

On the other hand, involuntary resettlement should be considered as an integral part of environmental impact studies, given that it profoundly affects environmental variables of a social nature.

Impoverishment is the most serious risk faced by displaced populations. Impoverishment can be due to various factors, including:

Other risks to be aware of include:.