Pakistan
Since 2005 we have worked with Merlin International to help older people recover from the Kashmir earthquake. From this partnership we have set up 48 health centres and nine mobile health teams to provide care for around 200,000 people, with a specific focus on older people's needs.
In July 2010 Pakistan was hit by the worst floods in recorded history which affected 18 million people. Our specialist health workers are still working with Merlin's mobile medical teams giving free consultations, counselling, health education and medication to older people affected by the disaster.
In order to reach flood-affected communities in Kyber Pakhtunkha Province and Sindh, we established older people's associations (OPAs). Now, there are 72 OPAs working actively in the area covering 24 villages in each district.
In August 2011, Sindh was badly hit by floods again - affecting five million people. Responding to this emergency, we have distributed food, water and hygiene kits to 1,000 vulnerable families with older people in Badin, the most affected district of Sindh.
To achieve long-term goals we organise training workshops for government and NGO staff on ageing, health and older people issues in emergencies.
We also take part in HelpAge's global Age Demands Action campaign.
Life story: Gula Jan, 82
Gula Jan with a cow he bought with a cash grant from HelpAge.
(c) Zeeshan Alvi/HelpAge International
Gula Jan, 82, from Nowshera was badly affected by the flooding in Pakistan in 2010.
As part of our response to the disaster, he received a cash grant from HelpAge and our partners. He says:
"My wife is 70 but not in good health. Because of the floods in 2010, I lost my cow and two buffaloes. They were my sources of income.
"The situation would have gone out of control, if HelpAge had not come to rescue us.
"I consider it a blessing of Allah that HelpAge identified me among several others as a potential beneficiary of cash assistance while doing an assessment survey in my village.
"Older people are usually the most neglected segment in our society, especially in disasters.
"With the money I bought a cow which is now getting healthier and healthier."
The difference we made in 2010-11
- We provided relief to 2,500 households in Nowshera, Swat, Charsadda, Muzafargarh, Jacobabad and Shikarpur.
- We established 72 older people's associations in two provinces.
- We provided healthcare services to over 82,800 older people.
- We introduced a cash assistance programme providing 200 unconditional and 1,000 conditional cash grants for older people. 45% of the beneficiaries of the unconditional cash assistance were women.
- We started 20 community development projects in flood-affected areas.
What next?
- We will provide eye care services to 3,000 older people and health care training to 3,000 people.
- We will train 72 disaster-prone communities on disaster risk management.
- We will establish a fund for livelihood activities in 72 communities.
- We will train 72 communities in community-based advocacy.
- We will establish a network of local NGOs who will advocate for the rights of older people.
How are older people coping after the 2010 floods?
Our affiliates
Pakistan Medico International
Our partners
Medical Emergency Relief International (Merlin), Sind Rural Support Organisation, Community Research and Development Organisation, Badin Rural Development Society, Pakistan National Council on Ageing, SHED, Muslim Aid, Margalla institute of Health Sciences
