Nepal
In Nepal, HelpAge is building on our long-standing relationship with our local partner the Nepal Participatory Action Network (NEPAN). Together we want to develop a wider programme aimed at helping older citizens to claim their rights.
HelpAge is now registered as a NGO with the Government of Nepal, which will help us to widen our project portfolio and range of local partnerships.
Life story: Krishna, 75
Now Krishna receives a pension, he can afford medication for his wife and son.
Photo: Sarah Hertzog/HelpAge International 2010
Nepal introduced a universal pension scheme in 1995, the first of its kind in the region.
In 2009, the age of eligibility was lowered from 75 to 70 and the government increased the amount to 500 rupees (US$6.50) per person per month.
Krishna is 75 and receives the pension which is vital for paying his medical bills.
He said: "I live with my wife and we have three daughters and two sons. Only one son is unmarried and lives at home with us, as he has psychiatric problems and is unable to work.
"Both my wife and I receive the pension. Sadly my wife is sick with intestinal problems and so the pension money is spent on my son and then on my wife's medication.
"Very often I have to take my son to the specialist hospitals for treatment and the constant travel is very expensive.
"Our pension is a very important source of income to us. I heard about the pension from the radio, as they announced that they had changed the eligibility age.
"I feel that the pension is just enough, as it covers medical costs for both my son and my wife."
The difference we made in 2010-11
- 400 older people and their associations were involved in income generation activities.
- We carried out research to support advocacy on the impact of Nepal's universal old age allowance that affects around one million older people.
What next?
We will be expanding our project work to include:
- Eye camps in ten remote districts covering 6,600 older people and including 1,100 cataract operations.
- Older citizens monitoring groups to be set up in ten districts, covering 4,000 older people whom we will help to claim their rights to old age allowance and free health care.
- Participation in a worldwide activity to give a voice to older people on the tenth anniversary of the signing of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, 2002.
Our partners
Nepal Participatory Action Network (NEPAN), Geriatric Centre of Nepal Women for Human Rights, Ageing Nepal
