Nepal, July 18 -- The government of Nepal's decision to provide Rs25,000 as compensation to families displaced by recent settlement clearances raises a difficult but necessary question: Can a one-time payment adequately compensate for the destruction of not only homes but also the social, economic and emotional foundations that sustain people's lives?

Forced displacement isn't simply the loss of shelter. It disrupts a full spectrum of life and wellbeing, including access to health care, education, nutrition, livelihoods, sexual and reproductive health rights, social networks and support systems, privacy, safety and human dignity. Can an amount of Rs25,000, even as a temporary solution, meaningfully compensate for losses that arose becaus...