Older People

Old and Vulnerable

There is limited awareness of the rights, needs and contributions of older people during crisis situations and an urgent need to raise their profile among humanitarian decision-makers and practitioners. Older refugees and internally displaced have specific needs that are routinely neglected in humanitarian planning and programming.

Older people can be particularly vulnerable during conflict or natural disasters. Lack of mobility, weakened vision and chronic illnesses such as arthritis or rheumatism can make access to support difficult, and aid services often do not take these issues into consideration. In times of displacement, older people are sometimes reluctant to leave their homes and are therefore often the last to flee from danger. Once displaced, older people suffer great upheaval and often become both socially isolated and physically separated from their families, increasing their vulnerability.