op_annex_412-a208349886c41189.pdf

This document is a draft of the World Bank's Operational Policy (OP 4.12) and Bank Procedures (BP 4.12) regarding Involuntary Resettlement, dated September 25, 2001. It establishes safeguards to mitigate economic, social, and environmental risks associated with the involuntary taking of land or restriction of access to protected areas resulting from Bank-assisted investment projects.

• The primary objectives of the World Bank's policy on involuntary resettlement are to avoid or minimize resettlement through alternative project designs, execute resettlement as sustainable development programs when avoidance is not feasible, and assist displaced persons in restoring or improving their livelihoods and standards of living to at least pre-displacement levels.
• The policy covers direct economic and social impacts caused by the involuntary taking of land—leading to relocation, loss of shelter, assets, or income—and the involuntary restriction of access to legally designated parks and protected areas that adversely affects livelihoods.
• Displaced persons must be provided prompt and effective compensation at 'full replacement cost' for lost assets. This valuation method excludes depreciation of structures and assets and is supplemented by additional measures if domestic law does not meet this standard.
• The policy mandates specific protections for vulnerable groups, including those below the poverty line, the landless, the elderly, women, children, indigenous peoples, and ethnic minorities. For indigenous peoples with traditional land-based production, the Bank requires the exploration of all viable alternatives to avoid physical displacement, preferring land-based resettlement strategies compatible with their cultural preferences.
• Resettlement activities must be linked to the investment component of the project to ensure that displacement or restriction of access does not occur before compensation is paid and resettlement sites with adequate facilities are provided.
• Eligibility for assistance is determined via a census to identify affected persons and discourage ineligible inflows. Eligible persons are categorized into those with formal legal rights, those with recognized claims (such as customary rights), and those with no recognizable legal right but who occupied the area prior to a specified cut-off date.
• Depending on the project type and complexity, the borrower must prepare one of three instruments: a resettlement plan (or abbreviated plan for minor impacts/fewer than 200 people), a resettlement policy framework (for sector or financial intermediary operations), or a process framework (for restrictions of access to protected areas).
• The World Bank may provide assistance to borrowers to strengthen resettlement policies, finance technical assistance for capacity building, or finance the investment costs of resettlement, although it does not disburse against cash compensation or the cost of land acquisition.

APA

Center for International Environmental Law (n.d.). op_annex_412-a208349886c41189.pdf. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/OP_Annex_412.pdf

Chicago

Center for International Environmental Law. op_annex_412-a208349886c41189.pdf. n.d. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/OP_Annex_412.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Center for International Environmental Law |title=op_annex_412-a208349886c41189.pdf |url=https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/OP_Annex_412.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centerforinternationalenvironmentallawndopannex412a208349886c41189pdf, author = {{Center for International Environmental Law}}, title = {{op\_annex\_412-a208349886c41189.pdf}}, institution = {Center for International Environmental Law}, url = {https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/OP_Annex_412.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }