Older people face particular threats from the world's increasing number of conflicts and natural disasters, but are not often identified as a vulnerable group. HelpAge International believes older people's rights, needs and capabilities must now be recognised in all emergency programmes.

We have over 20 years' experience of work in natural disasters and complex emergencies. Our mandate in humanitarian relief is to target the most vulnerable older people and their immediate carers, dependants and families. We aim to enhance the capacities and contributions of older people in emergency situations by maximising the use of local knowledge and human resources, and integrateing our activities into local systems.

We lobby the United Nations, European Union, major donors and international relief agencies to address the needs of older people and enhance their contribution in the wider, longer-term development context

Key issues for older people in emergencies

Mobility

As communities flee, many older people, particularly the housebound, can be left behind without support. Many choose to stay, fearing a long journey or death in a foreign country, and are then extremely vulnerable during periods of violence. In the physical chaos associated with the early stages of an emergency, older people may be unable to struggle for food and resources, travel long distances or endure even relatively short periods without shelter. Older people need to be identified and their situations assessed as early as possible in an emergency situation.

Health

Most non-governmental organisations (NGOs) emphasise primary health-care programmes that target children and women, but neglect older people. Emergency food and nutrition programmes are rarely adjusted to their needs – for example, hard grains can be inedible because of dental or other health problems – and there is a tendency to see supplementary food programmes for older people as a waste. Reduced mobility, combined with having to travel to centralised health systems and sources of water, can create significant barriers to older people’s access to health services. Chronic health needs, for example, diabetes, are often not addressed. Considering older people’s specific health needs is critical to emergency planning.

Livelihoods

When communities return home, older people typically face difficulties in accessing land and other scarce resources. Exclusion from credit, income-generation and food-for-work programmes is common and exacerbates their loss of independence, status and dignity. Rehabilitation and reconstruction programmes need to ensure that older people have full and equal support in rebuilding their livelihoods.

Psychological and social effects

The feelings of loss, trauma, confusion and fear that are familiar to all people in emergencies can be even more damaging for older people. In regions hit by frequent disasters, famine or conflict, they may have suffered repeated personal losses, physical displacement and dislocation of social structures. They may need special support to recover emotionally and find new roles.

Isolation

For older people in emergencies, isolation sharply increases the levels of risk. Loss of family, carers and community ties can leave older people without support mechanisms, and abandonment, discrimination and self-exclusion are common. Socially or physically isolated older people need to be identified and given targeted support.

Gender

Although refugee populations tend to include a lot of older women, age and gender barriers are more likely to exclude them from decision-making and resources than older men. Social and religious restrictions on women’s movement, speech and public exposure can also increase their vulnerability during emergencies.