HelpAge International welcomes the launch of the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing
Older people must be at the heart of the Decade if we are to ensure that their rights are recognised by decisionmakers at community, country, regional and global levels.
News
If not now, when? – Country focus on Yemen
Older people are being failed in emergency humanitarian responses around the world, overlooked in needs assessments and response plans.
UK’s foreign aid cuts mark a retrograde step for international aid
In response to a cut to the UK's commitments on foreign aid, Justin Derbyshire, Chief Executive at HelpAge International highlighted the devastating impact this decision could have on the most marginalised in societies in low- and middle- income countries.
Humanitarian sector neglecting older people, exacerbated by COVID-19
A new report from aid agencies Age International and HelpAge International, If not now, when? criticises the humanitarian sector for its failure to address the needs of older people in emergencies.
Humanitarian sector failing older people
A new report from aid agencies Age International and HelpAge International, 'If not now, when?' criticises the humanitarian sector for its failure to address the needs of older people in emergencies. This failure contravenes several international commitments made in recent years and flies in the face of humanitarian principles.
Beirut Rapid Needs Assessment highlights healthcare amongst priorities for recovery as Covid-19 increases in wake of blast
'What happened is unacceptable. This is a disaster for all human beings. Not only in Lebanon but for the whole world.' Kamal (80) Lebanese man who was in the Al Nahr river area, near the port where the explosion happened.
Jordanian government praises HelpAge response to COVID-19
HelpAge Jordan designed a programme to support and protect older people based on the HRP strategic priority: Protect, Assist, and Advocate. This project was supported by the Basic Needs Cluster and the Ministry of Planning and Jordanian Emergency Response.
Older people most at risk as Lebanon rebuilds from Beirut blast
The blast destroyed the traditional neighbourhoods of central Beirut which are home to a very high number of older people, many of whom were already living in extreme poverty.
The Beirut explosion has affected us all deeply
I have been in a state of shock since the massive explosion in Beirut. I did not believe the situation in Lebanon could get any worse after the political turmoil, the economic crisis, and then the COVID-19 pandemic. And then this happened.
Zanzibar responds to COVID-19 economic challenges with a 20% rise to their universal social pension
The COVID-19 pandemic affects all of us but has the greatest impact on those already experiencing poverty, poor health and discrimination.
Rise of COVID cases in humanitarian contexts exposes more older people to risk
According to WHO data published in the latest update, adults aged 60 years account for 15.4 per cent of cases in the countries included in the humanitarian response plan and fatalities rise steadily with age.
Desperate living conditions on Venezuela/Colombia border plumb new depths, amid COVID-19 fears
Most at risk are the almost 5,000 older migrants living in La Guajira. According to a survey of the region - carried out by HelpAge in January 2020 - 84% of them have no handwashing facilities and 78% have no access to safe drinking water. This has not improved since the outbreak of COVID and creates serious obstacles to protecting a population at risk from the virus.