Wilner, 74, Haiti

With the cash transfer he received from HelpAge, Wilner can afford school uniforms for his children. (c) Frederic Dupoux/HelpAge International Since the massive 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on 12 January 2010, HelpAge has been  working on the ground with local partners to ensure older people's needs are met.

At least 3.5 million Haitians have been affected by the earthquake.

The Haitian government estimates that 250,000 people died, 300,000 were injured and 1 million people were made homeless.

Of the entire population of Haiti, 800,000 people (7% of the population) are over 60.

Cash transfers

Directly after the earthquake, HelpAge was quick to respond to the most urgent needs of 24,000 older people and their families.

We distributed food, temporary shelters and medical supplies, and provided nursing care.

Six months into the relief effort, we began a programme of cash transfers for older people in Haiti.

In a survey carried out among older people receiving the cash transfers, most respondents said they used the money to buy food and pay off debts.

New uniforms and shoes

Some older people involved in the cash transfer scheme are caring for their children and grandchildren. They told us they spent their cash transfer on getting the children ready for a new school year.

74-year-old Wilner Jean Simon is one of these grandparents. He said:

"I've been living in Place Sainte-Anne Camp, in the middle of Port-au-Prince, since the earthquake struck.

"When I was younger, I sold watercolour paintings to tourists. Sadly, we no longer see any tourists these days.

"Since the earthquake, I have been feeding my family with help from my neighbours.

"The cash transfer that HelpAge has provided means I can buy uniforms and shoes for my younger children. They are now all kitted out and ready to go back to school."