As damaged roads, bridges and communications infrastructure make some affected communities extremely difficult to reach, the
Geriatric Society of Nepal is leading the development of a a rapid needs assessment working alongside National Senior Citizens Federation, Ageing Nepal, Nepal Participatory Action Network and Jestha Nagarik Chautari. FAYA Nepal and HelpAge International are providing technical support.
As network members begin gathering information from affected communities, a clearer picture of the impact on older people is starting to emerge. One early assessment, carried out by a member of the Geriatric Society of Nepal and Nepal Participatory Action Network, looked at the situation in an old age home in an area affected by the floods. Before the disaster, 34 older people lived there. One resident had died and five remained missing. Those rescued have been taken to hospital, reunited with family members or moved to alternative accommodation.
The home itself has been badly damaged and is no longer operational. Restoring it could take around six months, raising urgent questions about where residents will live and how their longer-term care and support needs will be met.
Network members have also raised concerns about older people’s access to medicines and healthcare, the suitability of temporary accommodation, and the impact on those who have lost family members on whom they depended.
HelpAge has made funding available through our Global Emergency Fund to support an initial assessment and response. What happens next will be guided by the local knowledge of network members from Nepal, along with the priorities of affected communities.
HelpAge stands in solidarity with the Geriatric Society of Nepal, National Senior Citizens Federation, Ageing Nepal, Nepal Participatory Action Network, Jestha Nagarik Chautari and FAYA Nepal and with everyone affected by this disaster.
