Pakistan

Since 2005 we have worked with Merlin International to help older people recover from the Kashmir earthquake. From this partnership we have set up 48 health centres and nine mobile health teams to provide care for around 200,000 people, with a specific focus on older people's needs.

In July 2010 Pakistan was hit by the worst floods in recorded history which affected 18 million people. Our specialist health workers are still working with Merlin's mobile medical teams giving free consultations, counselling, health education and medication to older people affected by the disaster.

In order to reach flood-affected communities in Kyber Pakhtunkha Province and Sindh, we established older people's associations (OPAs). Now, there are 72 OPAs working actively in the area covering 24 villages in each district.

In August 2011, Sindh was badly hit by floods again - affecting five million people. Responding to this emergency, we have distributed food, water and hygiene kits to 1,000 vulnerable families with older people in Badin, the most affected district of Sindh.

To achieve long-term goals we organise training workshops for government and NGO staff on ageing, health and older people issues in emergencies.

The difference we made in 2010-11

  • We provided relief to 2,500 households in Nowshera, Swat, Charsadda, Muzafargarh, Jacobabad and Shikarpur.
  • We established 72 older people's associations in two provinces.
  • We provided healthcare services to over 82,800 older people.
  • We introduced a cash assistance program providing 200 unconditional and 1,000 conditional cash grants for older people. 45% of the beneficiaries of the unconditional cash assistance were women.
  • We started 20 community development projects in flood-affected areas.

The difference we made in 2009-10

  • We have given free eye tests to over 5,000 older people in and around Karachi.
  • 500 older people have had their sight restored, thanks to the cataract surgery we've provided.
  • We distributed more than 1,200 personal kits to older people in Nowshera affected by the floods.

What next?

  • We will provide eye care services to 3,000 older people and health care training to 3,000 people.
  • We will train 72 disaster-prone communities on disaster risk management.
  • We will establish a fund for livelihood activities in 72 communities.
  • We will train 72 communities in community-based advocacy.
  • We will establish a network of local NGOs who will advocate for the rights of older people.

Our partners

Pakistan Medico International, Medical Emergency Relief International (Merlin)

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