Reparations as Development? Evidence from Victims of the Colombian Armed Conflict
Our study is the first to investigate the effects of reparations for victims of gross human rights violations. In Colombia, victims of forced displacement, homicide, and other atrocities during the conflict received a lump-sum payment equal to three times their annual household income. Using novel linked administrative microdata and event studies, we show that reparations help victims rebuild their lives and significantly improve their well-being and that of their children. Specifically, reparations promote investment in physical and human capital, leading to enhanced living and health conditions, better educational outcomes, and increased asset-building and entrepreneurship, despite slightly discouraging labour supply.

Written with Juliana Londoño-Vélez (UCLA and NBER) and Christian Posso (Banco de la República de Colombia)
Date: 12 March 2025, 12:30
Venue: Manor Road Building, Manor Road OX1 3UQ
Venue Details: Seminar Room G (third floor)
Speaker: Arlen Guarin (World Bank)
Organising department: Department of Economics
Organisers: Niccolo Meriggi (University of Oxford), Dennis Egger (University of Oxford), Rocco Zizzamia (University of Oxford)
Organiser contact email address: suzanne.george@economics.ox.ac.uk
Part of: CSAE Lunchtime Seminars
Booking required?: Not required
Audience: Public
Editors: Suzanne George, Fiona Morsia, Claire Goode