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Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development (AJAD) - Call for papers!

The impoverishment risk reconstruction (IRR) model and livelihood satisfaction of the urban poor resettlement communities in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

(Cambodia), Doctor of Philosophy in Community Development (University of the Philippines Los Baños)

Dissertation Abstract:

This study analyzed the impoverishment risk reconstruction (IRR) model and sustainable livelihood of urban poor resettlement community in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Specifically, the study aimed to: (1) describe the sociodemographic characteristics of the resettler, (2) describe the IRR model as a strategy, (3) describe the Royal Government of Cambodia’s (RGC) policy and nongovernment organizations’ (NGOs) strategies, (4) determine respondents’ perception on the appropriateness of IRR model in addressing the eight risks associated to resettlement, and (5) analyze the relationship between the IRR model and the level of satisfaction of livelihood sustainability in the urban poor resettlement communities.
 
Three selected villages from three resettlement communities in Phnom Penh were chosen as the study sites where stratified random sampling method was employed. A total of 106 respondents (with no land and with land ownership) were interviewed. Twenty-one respondents were valued in FGD from each resettlement community. Primary data were also gathered through 10 key informant interviews. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in the data analyses.
 
Results showed that the level of satisfaction of RGC’s resettlement policy was at a moderate level, while the level of satisfaction of NGOs’ strategies was at a high level. The perceived level of appropriateness of the IRR was at a moderate level. The level of satisfaction of sustainable livelihood in terms of increased income was positive for two-thirds of the resettlers. This is because their business enabled them to expand livelihood activities inside and outside the village. This was negative for those who did not have land ownership. They relied on a single source of income and had a large household size to support. Increased community welfare services and resources, improved food security, and reduced vulnerability were at a moderate level. This is because the relocated households are still in the process of building their skills and knowledge to help them develop more secure lives, cope with risks, and adapt their lives successfully. Sustainable natural resources were perceived differently by the villagers. Among those with no land ownership, the top three indicators positively noted were environment-related, while those with land ownership, land or space for crop and animal production was a major concern.
 
The results had the strongest positive significant relationship at .01 and .5 levels of significance between the level of satisfaction of livelihood of resettlement community and the assessment of IRR model, which addressed the eight risks. Almost all of the variables of IRR model were influenced by the level of satisfaction of livelihood sustainability of resettled families (when there is increase in income, community welfare services and resources and sustainable natural resource base).