Older people’s needs are being ignored in emergencies and disasters around the globe

By: Ahmed Alhaj (Site Admin)


Khartoum,(Sudanow)-HelpAge International is calling on donors and humanitarian agencies to ensure that older people are better supported during emergency and recovery situations. The charity says emergency aid has failed to address the needs of older people in emergency situations around the world - despite older people being amongst the most vulnerable. HelpAge International has chosen 20 February 2013, World Day of Social Justice, to launch the first ever campaign focused on addressing the needs of older people affected by humanitarian emergencies. The UNJUST campaign calls for more inclusive policies for older people in emergencies, both for older people to be better supported and for them to be allowed to actively participate during emergency and recovery situations.

 

New research carried out by HelpAge International - in two very different places which have been hit by disasters - confirms that the needs of older people are not being met despite the fact that they form one of the most vulnerable groups:

·         Haiti

A new Study on the Situation of Older People in Haiti, being published by HelpAge International, shows that in the area of risk and disaster management 69.8% of older persons in urban areas and 79.8% in rural areas considered that they had not received assistance during emergency responses to disasters.

 

·         South Sudan

A new baseline survey carried out by HelpAge International and Danish Refugee Council in the Yusuf Batil refugee camp, in Upper Nile, South Sudan, confirmed that older people were one of the most vulnerable groups. Refugees’ registration data shows that although older people (over 60) made up over 4% of the camp’s population of almost 37,000 people, this age group formed 12% of refugees with specific vulnerabilities and protection needs, under UNHCR guidelines – those classed as ‘elderly at risk’ forming the second largest vulnerable group after ‘women at risk’.

 

 

Older people are amongst the most vulnerable in emergencies, yet their needs are overlooked.  Despite the fact that approximately 11% of the world’s population is aged 60 and above, less than only 1% of humanitarian aid (allocated via the CAP and flash appeal process) was allocated to older people in 2010 and 2011. In addition, in 2010, natural disasters had an impact on at least 200 million people around the world. As the numbers of older people affected by humanitarian crises and disasters increase, humanitarian agencies need to adapt policy and practice to ensure that the needs of older people are consistently and continually considered and that this vulnerable group is no longer neglected. By 2050, the number of people aged 60 and over will almost triple, reaching 2 billion – 22% of the world’s population.

 

Bedreldin Shutta, Country Director, HelpAge International, Sudan Program said:

Always older people are neglected during emergencies because some humanitarians think that older people are supported by their families which are not always the case. From our field experiences we know that older people may be the main supporter for their families and in many times the only guardians of their grandchildren and the children of their relatives as well”

“In our local contexts older people are among the main supporters for the families living in the areas affected by conflicts or in the areas of voluntary return. Older people are usually the leaders of wisdoms who solve disputes”

 

 

Richard Blewitt, Chief Executive Officer of HelpAge International, said:

“When a humanitarian crisis arises, older people are particularly vulnerable to injury, death, neglect and disease. However, the reality they face in emergencies often goes unnoticed – older people remain invisible in crises. They are often unable to travel to the relative safety of a displacement camp or they may be left behind to look after small children and disabled relatives.

 

“Governments must do much more to tackle the inequality that hampers humanitarian efforts and to ensure that older people start off on a solid footing with support for their unique needs. A comprehensive response requires awareness from all organisations – including UN agencies, international NGOs, political leaders and policy experts. We need to include older people in all of our programs so they can actively participate in planning and explain their needs to camp and government authorities. While older people need targeted support, they also offer wisdom and experience that is vital to recovery.”

 

 

 

SUDAN

Halima, aged 80 years, who lives in a camp in West Darfur, said:

“I lost my sons and my home village during the conflict and now I live alone. I was staying at a neighbour’s compound previously and my neighbour gave me shelter. HelpAge provided me with a new shelter which has removed a lot of suffering from me because it protects me from rain and cold. I go to the social centre sometimes but I can’t go very often because I have pains in my chest. I still cultivate a small area of garden within my compound. I eat my meals with my neighbours. "

 HelpAge International helps older people claim their rights, challenge discrimination and overcome poverty, so that they can lead dignified, secure, active and healthy lives. Our work is strengthened through our global network of like-minded organisations – the only one of its kind in the world.

Sudanow is the longest serving English speaking magazine in the Sudan. It is chartarized by its high quality professional journalism, focusing on political, social, economic, cultural and sport developments in the Sudan. Sudanow provides in depth analysis of these developments by academia, highly ...

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