Today, the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is observed worldwide to raise awareness of the many issues women face. For the first time the urgency of action on violence that women of all ages and abilities suffer in humanitarian context was recognised at a High Level Panel meeting in the UK this month.
The British government has announced that it is giving almost half a million pounds to HelpAge International and its partner COSE (the Coalition of Services of the Elderly) as part of its Rapid Response Fund to help with our work in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan.
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), a group of 14 UK aid organisations has today said that lifesaving aid is on its way to survivors of Typhoon Haiyan; despite obstacles including impassable roads, closed ports and increasing security concerns.
Leading British charities – including HelpAge International’s sister organisation, Age International – have launched a public fundraising appeal to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.
HelpAge International is already on the ground with its local partner, the Coalition of Services of the Elderly COSE, to support older people affected by the trail of devastation across the Philippines. The emergency relief work is funded by HelpAge’s UK partner, Age International, which is also a member of the Age UK network.
Super typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), one of the strongest ever recorded, is battering central areas of the Philippines with winds of up to 320 kilometres per hour. Waves 15 metres tall have been seen around the coast, and there has been up to 400 millimetres of rain in some places.
On 1 November, UNAIDS published a landmark report on HIV and ageing. The report provides the first global estimates since 2006 on the number of people aged 50 and over living with HIV and the proportion of all people living with the virus they constitute. The estimates are the first ever regional estimates on number of older people living with HIV.
On Wednesday 6 November, HelpAge, Sightsavers, Alzheimer’s Disease International and ADD International are hosting an event at the House of Commons in London to highlight their joint “We Can Also Make Change” research.
HelpAge India is now responding to cyclone Phailin by deploying mobile medical units to older people affected.
Cyclone Phailin, which crashed into the north eastern coast of India at the weekend, has moved inland, bringing with it more heavy rains and destruction. Huge quantities of rain have been battering Bihar state, where around 5 million people live along the banks of the Koshi and Gandak rivers.
Our sister organisation, HelpAge India is responding to the needs of those affected by cyclone Phailan.
On 1 October 2013, the United Nations' International Day of Older Persons, HelpAge International is launching the Global AgeWatch Index 2013 — the first-ever to measure the quality of life and wellbeing of older people around the world.
