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Older people neglected in Tsunami response says new report by HelpAge International
Older people are not being specifically targeted and in some cases are discriminated against, in emergency Tsunami programmes says a new report 'The Impact of the Indian Ocean Tsunami on Older People: Issues and Recommendations', published by HelpAge International and it's partner Help the Aged, six months after the earthquake disaster.
As estimated 14,000 older people over the age of 60 died in Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and Indonesia, and a further estimated 93,000 older people, have been displaced as a result of the Tsunami. Despite the fact that older people are recognized as a vulnerable group in international conventions, they are still not being directly targeted in relief and rehabilitation programmes.
Key findings of the report include the following:
·Many older people lost their livelihoods and/or family members who provided them with support, but their financial needs are not being addressed.
·Policies that prevent communities from returning to coastal land will have a serious impact on older people, who are less likely to have documentation proving previous ownership and therefore likely to be excluded from housing reconstruction assessments.
·The lack of detailed data on older people means they were overlooked in the initial relief response and are likely to be forgotten in plans for recovery and rehabilitation.
In the days after the Tsunami, the report found that older survivors were jostled out of the way by younger people during aid distribution. Seventy-five year old, Perumal, from India says he was forced to stop queuing for food. “I had been pushed out on earlier occasions and fallen on the ground. I knew I would not get anything. The fastest gets the food, the strong one wins. Older people and the injured don't get anything.”
Many older people did not receive monetary compensation. But those who received pensions or had access to short-term relief payments say it provided crucial support for them and their families.
Over the next three years, HelpAge International and it’s partner Help the Aged will provide a package of support tailored to older people’s needs. This will include: the establishment of livelihood and income generation activities; shelter for those excluded from other housing programmes; and support for older people’s self help groups to advocate for rights.
HelpAge International is calling on governments and relief agencies to:
·Collect data disaggregated by age and gender. ·Implement intergenerational approaches to emergency response programmes that support older people’s roles. ·Establish mechanisms to support older people’s access to their entitlements including food, health services, shelter and financial aid. ·Develop social protection schemes in the form of small regular cash payments to older people. ·Consult older people during rehabilitation process.
Bill Gray, HelpAge International’s Emergencies Manager says: “ Older people affected by the Tsunami are now trying to re-establish businesses, repair homes and get on with their lives. Already amongst the poorest and most vulnerable, those responsible for reconstruction and rehabilitation need to ensure older people receive targeted support in future plans. Schemes such as the fishermen’s pension in Kerala show how older people can be protected from losing everything in a disaster.’
Note for editors 1. HelpAge International is leading global action on ageing. For more information go to www.helpage.org 2. The Impact of the Indian Ocean Tsunami on Older People: Issues and Recommendations, HelpAge International, June 2005 or view an electronic copy at: http://www.helpage.org 3. Help the Aged works through, and funds its international partner HelpAge International during times of international emergencies which threaten the lives and livelihoods of older people. Help the Aged is responsible for raising funds from its own supporters and is also part of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC). The DEC brings together 13 of the UK's lead aid agencies, and other supporters, to launch national appeals during times of major international humanitarian disasters.
For further information,case studies, photographs and interviews contact Faith Mall Media Officer, HelpAge International (press@helpage.org) Tel +44 207 278 7778 x 286/07747 062932 (out of hours)
In Asia For further information,case studies, photographs and interviews, contact Pajaree Suwannakarn, Communications and Information Manager,HelpAge International - Asia Pacific Regional Development Centre (pak@helpageasia.com) Tel +66 53 225081/+66 53 895021
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