Publications

Mozambique mounted its response to COVID-19 whilst grappling with growing armed conflict in the north of the country and attempting to recover from the devastation caused by Cyclone Idai in March 2019. While confirmed cases remain comparatively low, the economic and social fallout of COVID-19, coupled with these pre-existing vulnerabilities, has severely impacted older people in the country. HelpAge undertook this assessment in May 2020 in four provinces, working through local partners ACIDECO, APITE, ASADEC and Vukoxa.

Toolkit for International Day of Older Persons 2020 for Age Demands Action campaigners and Network members.

Toolkit for International Day of Older Persons 2020 for Age Demands Action campaigners and Network members

Responses to COVID-19 are an opportunity to protect the lives, dignity and well-being of everyone, everywhere. Human rights provide a framework to strengthen the effectiveness of these responses and can help us assess whether public health measures are appropriate or not. Here are seven principles you can use to assess whether public health measures being suggested or used respect the rights of older people.

Uganda has experienced a rapidly changing COVID-19 situation since the virus reached the country in March. The virus initially developed in urban areas and more recently has spread into several rural communities. As of August 26th, the cumulative number of confirmed cases and death from COVID-19 was 2,426 and 22, respectively. Unfortunately, the government does not disaggregate its data by age and gender so a contextual examination of the effect of COVID-19 on the population groups is not available.

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.

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.

Este documento proporciona a los gobiernos, al personal de HelpAge International, a los miembros de la red y a los asociados mensajes clave para hacer incidencia a favor de la inclusion efectiva de las personas mayores en la planificacion de la preparacion y las respuestas que estan en marcha frente a la pandemia COVID-19 en el contexto de los pagos de pensiones.