Older people are particularly vulnerable and face specific threats from man-made and natural disasters. Their needs are very different from those of other groups, such as children.
Older 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.
Many frail or housebound older people are less able or willing to flee quickly or protect themselves from harm. Older people can struggle to obtain food, travel long distances or endure even short periods without shelter.
Loss of family members, carers and community ties can leave older people isolated. Coping with day-to-day life after a disaster can be difficult and some older people report feeling depressed at losing the status they once had.
Older people are often excluded from “cash for work” or “food for work” recovery programmes because most aid agencies target younger adults. Micro-credit and other activities that can help older people earn a living are often planned without considering their capabilities. #HelpAge#Afghanistan #ReShapeAid #worldhumanitariansummit#humanitarianaction
http://www.helpage.org/…/emerg…/older-people-in-emergencies/
receive a sack of coal for heating and cooking at Sakhee camp in
Mazar-i-Sharif February 6,2002. The International Rescue Committee
(IRC) said that there are some 17,000 displaced people living in the
camp, most of whom escaped fighting between Taliban and opposition
forces. REUTERS/Claro Cortes IV