Publications

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause unprecedented socio-economic and health challenges in Zimbabwe. As of the 3rd of August, Zimbabwe had recorded 4,705 COVID-19 cases, 80 deaths and 1,057 recoveries.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented socio-economic and health challenges for older people in Zimbabwe. The crisis has resulted in the breakdown of an already weakened health sector that lacks sufficient medication and medical staff. Limited testing kits and the porous border with South Africa has meant the number of cases is likely to be far higher than reported. To assess the needs of older people in Zimbabwe in more detail, the Center for Community Development Solutions, with support from HelpAge International, conducted a rapid needs assessment in northern and eastern Zimbabwe in June.

Older people, especially older refugees, remain one of the most at risk groups in Uganda, both from COVID-19 and from pre-existing risks. Uganda hosts the third-largest refugee population in the world, and the largest in Africa. Therefore, to assess the needs of older refugees, HelpAge International conducted a rapid needs assessment in Adjumani Refugee Settlement in northern Uganda on the border with South Sudan in July.

In Iraq, COVID-19 has further exacerbated existing economic and insecurity and is putting older people at serious risk. Currently, many older people have had to reduce food intake while others are unable to access their essential medicine. To better understand the emerging needs of older people in Iraq Oxfam and HelpAge International undertook, in June, a multi-sector RNA.

With COVID-19 cases increasing and despite easing containment measures, many Kenyans, particularly older people living in Nairobi, remain at serious risk as many have lost their livelihoods and are struggling to meet their basic needs. HelpAge conducted an RNA to highlight the many risks older people face and to provide advocacy messages to humanitarian partners and the Kenyan government.

The impacts of COVID-19 are being strongly felt by almost all segments of Philippine society. However, older people are not only more likely to die of COVID-19 but are at also higher risk of abuse and being denied access to resources. To be able to adapt its programming and provide advocacy messages, The Coalition of Services of the Elderly (COSE) in partnership with HelpAge International undertook a multi-sector RNA in late May 2020.

The two explosions that erupted in Beirut on Tuesday August 4th 2020, killed at least 178 people, with more than 6,000 people injured (as of 13/08/2020). Whilst the current relief efforts have captivated global attention, challenges remain around coordinating vast informal activities of community-based organisations, and the populations' deepened sense of uncertainty and unrest about the future.

The Tanzanian government has not released aggregate numbers of COVID-19 cases or deaths since April 29. However, anecdotal information suggests that since then the number of cases and deaths continue to rise. While currently there are no cases of COVID-19 in the three camps where HelpAge is working with refugees from Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) the potential impact of a COVID-19 outbreak in the camps could be devasting. To better understand how the virus is affecting these older people and to determine future programming needs, HelpAge undertook a multi-sector Rapid Needs Assessment in Nyarugusu, Nduta and Mtendeli refugee camps in Kigoma, Tanzania.

In Cambodia, like many countries in South East Asia, the deaths and cases from COVID-19 remain comparatively low. However, especially the secondary impacts of COVID-19 are making it more difficult for older people to access their basic goods and services. This includes access to health facilities and access to sufficient food. Therefore, to assess the challenges facing older people and to inform programming and policy decisions, HelpAge Cambodia conducted a multi-sector Rapid Needs Assessment.

In Rwanda, due in part to effective early government interventions, reported deaths and cases from COVID-19 remain relatively low. However, the impact on older people of the economic uncertainty caused by COVID-19 has been considerable. Therefore, to help evaluate the needs of older people during this unprecedented time and prepare for a potential increase in cases and deaths from COVID-19, Nsindagiza Organisation, with support from HelpAge, undertook a multi-sector Rapid Needs Assessment.

As of early August, COVID-19 cases and deaths in India are increasing. This coupled with the significant economic and social repercussions facing India's population has meant that many older people are at risk. This includes not only the risk of catching COVID-19 but also, for many, the risk of not being able to meet their basic needs. To be able to adapt its programming and provide advocacy messages, GRAVIS in collaboration with HelpAge undertook a multi-sector Rapid Needs Assessment in Rajasthan to provide a snapshot of the needs of older people. Find out more.

In Ethiopia older people, especially those residing in camp settings, are the most vulnerable to the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis. This is because on top of the primary and secondary impacts of COVID-19 they already severely challenged by the impact of frequent natural disasters (drought), conflict, displacement, and concurrent disease outbreaks.