Posted By Emma Littledike at 12:48, 18 February 2011

I still remember 12 January 2010 as though it were yesterday, putting on CNN in Zimbabwe and watching the Haiti news updates in horror.

The images of bodies, streets strewn with rubble, collapsed buildings and people screaming and crying everywhere were harrowing. As the days passed the death toll rose... and rose... and then it rose some more.

Cargo planes began to arrive full of food, water, medical supplies and sniffer dogs. Aid workers lived in tents and barely slept as they battled to get medical services up and running as quickly as possible in the face of logistical difficulties and emotional trauma.

Devastating impact

In terms of scale, the people lost in this tiny country almost matched the total death toll of all twenty countries affected by the 2004 Indian ocean tsunami. More than 230,000 died and three million were affected, losing their homes and families.

As if this was not enough, mother nature decided to deal Haiti another blow. The heavy rains from hurricane Tomas battered over a million tents and flooded camps of displaced people. Cholera rapidly spread, taking with it the lives of sons, daughters, mothers and fathers.

By December 2010, burning barricades lined the streets as a result of pre-election violent demonstrations, airports were closed and international airlines were forced to suspend flights.

Embarking on a journey

Despite all of this, it was without hesitation that I gave up Christmas and embarked on a 72 hour journey into Port-au-Prince, eager to contribute to and better understand HelpAge's work.

You would be correct in assuming that older people are one of the most vulnerable groups in any emergency. For a start they often have poorer health, immunity and mobility problems. Older people's needs are also, on the whole, neglected, as women and children's health is prioritised by many of the bigger agencies.

Anything but helpless

Haiti serves as a strong reminder however, that older people are anything but helpless.

A staggering 45% of older people living in camps are caring for on average three children under the age of 18, 17% of which are orphans and vulnerable children. On a daily basis they struggle to provide for them on little to no income, often neglecting their own personal needs to do so.

Many of them had their homes destroyed and a large number paid their rent for the year upfront from their savings just days before the quake - money which they can never get back.

Before the quake 72.3% of older people were working. Now only 7.2% currently have jobs and only 17.6% have other sources of income to survive on. Access to food, water and income is a daily struggle.

HelpAge has reached over 25,000 older people

HelpAge's programmes in Haiti have saved lives and assisted over 25,000 older people living in 202 camps and eight nursing homes through the distribution of food, cash, tents, solar kits, the provision of health care, home-based care, psycho-social activities.

Amidst all of the media reports of the lack of progress made across the country, it is clear to me that HelpAge remains exempt.

By far the best and most impactful of our work that HelpAge is the establishment of 100 older people's associations (OPAs). In the beginning, some said that setting up small community based organisations run by older people would never work.

Regardless, HelpAge worked hard to establish them and now they are fully functional, successfully run and valued by older people. They provide livelihood activities, support and services to all ages.

Investing in older people

The OPA members are proof that investing in older people during any emergency is the most effective way to help entire communities.

Despite their losses and vulnerabilities, they remain resilient, pillars of their communities and are with out doubt unsung heroes of Haiti.

As I looked at the paintings adorning the walls of the HelpAge Haiti office, (thank you gifts by OPAs for their Christmas party), I realised with a huge amount of pride exactly why HelpAge fights so hard to address older people's needs.

We do it because they matter. We do it because so many depend on them. Most of all we do it because we know that for many older people, without us, there is literally no one else.

Humanity is the word I am looking for - my favourite word.

Read more about HelpAge's work in Haiti

Tags for this post haiti earthquake, haiti, emergencies, older people's associations, Haiti, Caribbean, Emergencies