By Sarah Marzouk
We’re working with our local partners to support older people affected by the Nepal earthquake, which struck on 25 April, killing over 7,000 people and affecting more than 8 million.
We estimate that around 650,000 older women and men in Nepal have been affected by the disaster.
Cash transfers
We’re carrying out rapid assessments and distributing cash transfers. By the end of the week, we will have started distributing cash to 10,000 older people and their families.
Our work will take place in 11 of the 13 worst affected areas through the support of five of our current partners.
Cash transfers allow people to buy items they need most whether it’s food, shelter, medicines or as a means to start earning an income again to support themselves and their families.
Advocating for older people’s inclusion
We are also collaborating with other agencies, including CBM (a disability organisation) and Handicap International to ensure older people are included in the wider response.
This includes ensuring their distributions are age-friendly and appropriate for older people.
We are supporting our local partners to make strong statements to ensure that organisations responding to the disaster are aware of older people’s specific needs, for example for mobility aids or medical care for chronic diseases.
Health response
We are currently assessing the most effective health and nutrition response so that older people can access the healthcare they need for chronic diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, as well as other health conditions.
Health agencies confirm that there is a lack of prioritisation of treatment for chronic diseases in the aftermath of the earthquake, even though these conditions affect most older people.
What you can do
To support older people affected by the Nepal earthquake: