HelpAge is taking on the day-to-day management of the Port-au-Prince Municipal nursing home, also known as the “Asile Communale”.

The nursing home was crushed in last month's earthquake, and four residents died. HelpAge will oversee the care of the 75 surviving older people who are living in what is now essentially a tent city.

Through an agreement with the mayor’s office, we will manage all aspects of caregiving for the next six months. This includes food provision, medical care, staff supervision, security and sanitation.

Health concerns

International media highlighted the plight of the nursing home residents following the earthquake. They were left without shelter, food, water and, in some cases, clothing for several days. During that time, three more residents died.

The situation has improved since the arrival of donated tents, food and water, but grave concerns remain. In particular, we are worried about the health risks associated with the upcoming rainy season.

“Time and time again in disasters, HelpAge sees horrible situations like those the municipal nursing home residents have experienced," said Margaret Chilcott, HelpAge’s Emergencies Programme Coordinator. "Those who are most vulnerable are last to receive aid.”

Protecting privacy, dignity and rights

"Older people – especially those who are frail or unwell – are not the loudest in demanding emergency relief, food or assistance. 

"Our priority at HelpAge is to ensure that humanitarian organisations include this vulnerable group in their short and long-term efforts. Their privacy, dignity and rights must be protected.”

Makeshift camps overflowing with adults and children have sprung up around the home. Ensuring that older people get food and maintain their dignity has been a real challenge in such overcrowded conditions.

Even securing their individual belongings and group food stock against possible theft has proved difficult.

Project Concern International is another organisation providing humanitarian assistance to around 600 families in the nursing home complex.We are collaborating closely with them to address these issues.

A top priority is to fence off the nursing home’s half dozen tents for exclusive use by its residents and to hire security guards.

More meals, medicine and emotional care

Residents have been getting only one or two meals a day since the earthquake. HelpAge will provide enough food to prepare more regular nutritious meals.

Margaret Chilcott said: “We will also arrange for medical and emotional care. A geriatric specialist from the United States will examine each resident, diagnose ailments, recommend treatment and prescribe medication as needed.”

Older people's tents are now sitting in pools of muddy water due to the heavy rains. For the past month, residents have been bathed in the open, often to the jeers of children and passers by. The latrine is unusable.

We will remedy these problems by constructing shelters, latrine blocks and a bathing area.

Over 1,000 older people have been reached

HelpAge has also dispensed food, age-friendly “wellbeing” kits and medication to nearly 250 other nursing home residents in Léogâne and Petit Goave, and to more than 200 older people living in the Croix des Près neighbourhood on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince. 

In total, we have distributed food and other essential items to over 1,000 older people and their families in the last month.

A needs assessment of displaced older people living in camps in Port-au-Prince, Léogâne, Petit Goave, Grand Goave and other areas further from the epicentre will help us develop a longer term plan for Haiti.

For more news of older people's needs in Haiti go to AlertNet's website.