Wars and conflict such as those in Syria, Afghanistan, North Africa, Darfur and DR Congo also continue to affect millions of people.
Older men and women are some of the most vulnerable people in disasters and conflicts. A global ageing population means more and more will be affected.
Recent events have shown the disproportionate impact of natural disasters and conflict on older people:
- 80% of the "extremely
vulnerable individuals" remaining in camps in northern
Uganda's Lira district in 2007 were 60 or older.
- 71% of those who died in hurricane
Katrina in 2005 were 60 or older.
By 2050, the number of people over 60 will triple from 650 million (11% of the world population) to two billion (22%). By then, older people will start to outnumber children under 14. Over 80% of the world's older people will be living in developing countries (compared to 60% today).
SYRIA
- Death Tolls from Long Term Illnesses, Often of the Edlerly, Mean the True
Syria War Toll Would Be "Far Higher"
27 March 2013 - The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) says unacounted deaths of people in Syria with diabetes, heart conditions and other chronic illnesses mean the true death toll of the war is far higher than the reported 70,000. Many more deaths are happening because the health service has collapsed with one third of hospitals and 90% of pharmaceutical factories out of action.
Older people's needs and vulnerabilities
Older people are particularly vulnerable and face specific threats from man-made and natural disasters. Their needs are very different from those of other groups, such as children.
Restricted mobility
and increased vulnerability
Older age brings reduced mobility and muscle strength, impaired sight and hearing, and greater vulnerability to heat and cold. Minor conditions can quickly become major handicaps that overwhelm a person's ability to cope.
Many frail or housebound older people are less able or willing to flee quickly or protect themselves from harm. Older people can struggle to obtain food, travel long distances or endure even short periods without shelter.
Inappropriate food
Emergency food distribution programmes are rarely adjusted to include the particular needs of older people and their specific dietary requirements. Older people need micronutrients, protein and food that is easy to digest.
Rations can be too heavy to carry, packaging too difficult to open. Many older people report being pushed out of the way by more able bodied people.
Inadequate
healthcare
Immediately after a disaster, the focus is on first aid. However, in the medium term, health services need to respond to the ongoing needs of older people.
Walking sticks and frames, hearing aids and eye glasses can make all the difference in reaching distribution points, accessing assistance, preparing food or collecting firewood.
Older people also need healthcare for chronic conditions, such as coronary heart disease, diabetes, strokes, respiratory illnesses, rheumatism and dementia.
Trauma and
isolation
Loss of family members, carers and community ties can leave older people isolated.
Coping with day-to-day life after a disaster can be difficult and some older people report feeling depressed at losing the status they once had.
Loss of livelihoods
80% of older people in developing countries have no regular income and less than 5% receive a pension.
Older people are often excluded from "cash for work" or "food for work" recovery programmes because most aid agencies target younger adults. Micro-credit and other activities that can help older people earn a living are often planned without considering their capabilities.
How older people
contribute
Older people contribute immeasurably to their families and communities in various roles, including their accumulated experience and knowledge. They commonly sacrifice their well-being to help their children and grandchildren.
These roles continue and may even become more important in crisis situations. For example, 40-60% of orphaned children in countries severely affected by HIV and AIDS are cared for by their grandparents.
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WUNRN
CONSIDER FOR OLDER WOMEN WITH
DISABILITIES
STUDY SHOWS LESS THAN 1% OF
HUMANITARIAN AID TARGETS OLDER PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
22
February 2012 - HelpAge International and Handicap International study
shows less than 1% of humanitarian aid targets older people or people with
disabilities.
A new study by HelpAge International and Handicap International has found a significant disparity between the needs of older people and people with disabilities and the level of humanitarian assistance delivered to meet their needs.
11% of the world's population is aged 60 and above, whilst an estimated 15% of people live with disability. However, analysis of over 6,000 projects from 14 UN Consolidated Appeal Processes (CAP) and 4 Flash Appeals between 2010 and 2011 shows that:
- Only 61 funded projects (1%) target older people or
people with disabilities.
- In 21 countries, no projects in any sector target older
people. This includes Chad, Central African Republic and 16 countries in
West Africa.
- Funding for projects targeting people with disabilities
decreased between 2010 and 2011 (from 0.7% to 0.43%).
Older people and people with disabilities face specific challenges in humanitarian crises related to mobility, access to services such as healthcare and reestablishing livelihoods. If active steps are not taken, the needs of these highly vulnerable groups will continue to be unmet. Humanitarian actors must integrate the needs of these groups into responses and, where necessary, provide targeted interventions.
According to Frances Stevenson, Head of Emergencies at HelpAge: "This research shows there is a serious problem in the international humanitarian system. Humanitarian aid agencies systematically fail to assist the most vulnerable people. Older people and people with disabilities can be particularly vulnerable in crises and disasters and they have specific needs, but time and again their needs are not being properly assessed, analysed or incorporated in responses."
Jean-Pierre Delomier, Head of Emergencies at Handicap International adds: "At the time of a crisis, NGOs should pay particular attention to targeting the most vulnerable as they have the greatest difficulties accessing humanitarian assistance. It is what we aim to do for these most excluded individuals, by covering both their basic and specific needs."