Exploring the Impact of Cultural Shock and Integration Process on Internally Displaced Persons: Evidence from Riverbank Erosion in Bangladesh

Abstract

This study takes into account the initial ‘Cultural shock’ encountered by Internally Displaced Persons (IDP)’s within a new placement. Next, it tries to measure their social integration level with host community in four different sectors. Utilizing the well-known ‘Social integration model’ of Fedorenko, the study explored the degree of adaption levels among migrated persons in context of socio economic, cultural, political and psychological index. The researchers have taken the case of Tepakhola and Ambikapur areas that is Padma riverbank erosion affected IDP’s of Faridpur Upazila, Bangladesh. The study has followed ‘Mixed method’ research approach to analyze current trend of integration procedure of displaced people from riverbank erosion. Using the survey questionnaire and semi-structured interviews, challenges and vulnerabilities faced by households of IDPs have been explored. The findings suggest that it took them years to become accustomed to new cultural setting and people of migrated areas by overcoming emotional attachment of native habitation. According to statistical data, IDP’s find difficulty in obtaining access to political decision-making, less support from neighbors in time of hardship within the migrated community. Nevertheless, those migrated gradually and have experience of migration only once are economically stable than those suddenly migrated with worst living condition. The study also reveals that inadequate aid facility operated by government and nongovernmental agencies, they are more exposed to vulnerability and uncertainty. 65% participants expressed ‘low’ faith in integration and found to be in doubt when questioned on permanent settlement at new areas.