Emergency relief

Older people in emergencies

In crises, we offer support to older people who have been affected, and ensure that their interests are represented.

Older people can be too weak or isolated to access relief assistance.  They may not be able to queue for aid packages or travel long distances to reach camps for displaced people.

Following the Asian tsunami, our partner HelpAge India organised separate relief distributions for vulnerable people. Seating was provided and transport arranged to collection points.

After the earthquake in Haiti in January 2010, we helped reach older people by providing a mobile medical unit which took health care right into the heart of affected communities.

Preparing for emergencies

We help communities to prepare for future emergencies in order to reduce risks to themselves and their communities.

There are many countries in the world regularly affected by natural disasters.  We provide older people in these areas with training to help them and their communities to prepare, so less damage may be caused. These 'disaster risk reduction' programmes support older people to take the initiative within their communities, from building up community food stores to advising on disaster relief management.

When disaster strikes, such communities are more resilient and can get back on their feet more quickly.

The Disasters Emergency Committee

Age UK is a member of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), an alliance of the UK's 13 leading aid charities.

Members of the DEC work together following a major crisis or emergency to:

• launch joint fundraising efforts in order to raise as much money as possible;
• ensure charities don’t double-up on their emergency relief work; and
• ensure charities don’t have to ‘compete’ with each other for funds.

Age UK encourages other members of the DEC to take the needs and capabilities of older people into account in their disaster relief programmes.