Haiti

We have worked in Haiti for eight years, empowering and supporting poor and vulnerable older people. Since the earthquake of January 2010, we have distributed food, clothes, medication and wellbeing kits, which include items such as soap, shampoo and towels, to older people in need, especially those looking after grandchildren.

We are also working in nursing homes and in the temporary camps to make sure older people's needs aren't neglected in the relief effort. For instance, we run public information campaigns for older people and their families, reminding them not to neglect older relatives and neighbours.

Life story: Fanide, 66

Fanide receives free healthcare at a health clinic supported by HelpAge. Frederic Dupoux/HelpAge International 2011 In 2011, HelpAge partnered with three public health centres to provide healthcare and treatment specifically for older people.

Retired farmer Fanide Laguerre, 66, visits one such centre.

She says: "I have no regular work and no home. I live in a tent and I beg for my daily bread.

"At times people call me a witch. I suffer from stomach pain and during the rainy season the cold and humidity make my body ache.

"I used to go to a public hospital far from here. I waited in line for hours and sometimes I returned home without seeing the doctor. I felt humiliated when my neighbours saw me go to the hospital often.

"At this new health centre, the doctors treat me for free. This is the first time I have received help from a humanitarian organisation. I'm happy I don't have to beg the doctors for help."

The difference we made in 2010-11

We have supported eight nursing homes, benefiting a total of 400 older residents.
In partnership with ALA Dominicana, we have given emotional support to 200 older people made homeless by the earthquake and living in temporary camps.
We have distributed food and wellness kits to thousands of older people made homeless by the earthquake and living in camps in Petionville and Leogane.

What next?

We will work on sanitation issues to prevent the spread of diseases - a particular risk during the rainy season.
We will train community health workers, nurses and other medical professionals to provide healthcare geared to older people's needs. We'll also fund doctors who are experts in older people's health.
We will go on supporting older people who've been affected by the earthquake, as many living in temporary camps suffer from a lack of privacy, appalling living conditions, and even abuse.