Older people in emergencies
Natural disasters such as the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti and the floods in Pakistan that happening in July and August 2010 are increasing in frequency and now affect well over 200 million people every year.
Wars and conflict such as those in Darfur and eastern DR Congo also continue to affect millions of people.
Older men and women are some of the most vulnerable people in disasters and conflicts. A global ageing population means more and more will be affected.
By 2050, the number of people over 60 years will triple from 650 million (11% of the world population) to 2 billion (22%). By then, older people will start to outnumber children under 14. Over 80% of the world's older people will be living in developing countries (compared to 60% today).
Older people's needs and vulnerabilities
Older people have particular vulnerabilities and specific needs in disasters and conflicts:
- Older people have higher rates of chronic diseases than others.
These include coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, strokes, cancer, respiratory diseases and rheumatism. These conditions deteriorate without adequate routine assessment and medication.
- Older people's health can be compromised by poor diet and nutrition.
During emergencies, older people's nutrition is often affected by inaccessible food distribution points, rations that are too heavy to carry, food aid that is difficult to digest, inability to prepare food and a tendency to share their food rations with family members.
Relief agencies often fail to recognise the particular dietary needs of older people and exclude them from supplementary feeding programmes, even when they are caring for children.
- Old age brings reduced mobility and muscle strength, impaired sight and hearing and greater vulnerability to heat and cold.
Minor conditions can quickly become major handicaps that overwhelm a person's ability to cope. Older people are often less able or willing to flee quickly or to protect themselves from harm.
For example, 71% of those who died in Hurricane Katrina in 2005 were aged 60 years and older, due in part to the lack of evacuation plans taking into account the needs of older people. During the Georgia conflict in 2008, older people were left behind in villages and subject to abuse and intimidation by militia.
- Old age often brings poverty and isolation.
The idea that older people are always protected and cared for by their extended families is a myth. Crises can cause confusion and social breakdown, which can have a negative impact on older people.
Many older people live alone, most of them women. They are often poorer than other age groups and have less capacity and opportunity to earn a living.
Older people are frequently excluded from jobs and food-for-work programmes. Micro-credit and other activities to help older people earn a living are often planned without considering their capacities.
How older people contribute
Older people contribute immeasurably to their families and communities in various roles, including their accumulated experience and knowledge. They commonly sacrifice their well-being to help their children and grandchildren.
These roles continue and may even become more important in crisis situations. For example, 40-60% of orphaned children in countries severely affected by HIV and AIDS are cared for by their grandparents.
HelpAge International is the only international organization working specifically to meet the needs, uphold the rights and recognise the capacities of older people in humanitarian crises.