Myths about older people in emergencies

Following the floods in Pakistan in 2010, 75 year old Bass (pictured above) told us 'I thought my children would come to see me after the disaster struck the area, but I was wrong. They don't care. I shouldn't expect anything from them anymore.'

There are no older people in developing countries

Low life expectancy figures mask the fact that there are millions of older people in developing countries. The most rapid increase in the 60+ population is occuring in the developing world, which will see a jump of 225 per cent (to over 1.5 billion people) between 2010 and 2050. Furthermore, 26 million older people are affected by disasters every year.

The extended family and community will always protect them

Migration and urbanisation means that the extended family is no longer as common as it once was. Some older people do not have families; others are caring for orphaned grandchildren. People may not have the resources or ability to help others at a time when they are also suffering.

A humanitarian agency will look after them

There are no United Nations agencies and very few non-governmental organisations (NGOs) dedicated to older people.

They will be covered by general aid distributions

Older people have particular nutritional, cultural and health needs that are often not met by a general relief distribution. Sick and frail people might find it difficult to queue at, or walk to relief distribution points, so they may not be able to access general aid distributions in the first place.

They only have themselves to worry about

Many older people are looking after their grandchildren as their children migrate in search of work or die through conflict and illness. We estimate that up to half of the world's children orphaned by AIDS are cared for by a grandparent.

Together, Age UK and HelpAge International are committed to increasing the impact of our emergency relief work.  In the past ten years alone, we have provided assistance to people in later life following natural disasters, conflict and displacement in areas such as Darfur, Pakistan, Haiti and East Africa.