How we are helping

Click on the images below to view a series of photographs showing HelpAge's relief work in Pakistan:

Summary of the need:

Health

• From the onset of floods up until 14 August, 157,241 skin infections, 125,176 diarrhoea cases, and 122,598 acute respiratory infection cases have been reported
• The proportion of patients with acute diarrhoea is high, which continues to be the second highest cause of morbidity in these areas
• Cholera is a growing concern, with no access to clean water and the devastation of health services and loss of supplies and equipment making it impossible for people to receive assistance

Nutrition

• Large numbers of vulnerable groups, including older people, are without access to food
• The rising trend of diarrhoea highlights a clear risk of malnutrition among the affected population

It is estimated that 1,147,170 people have been affected by the floods in Nowshera district alone. Of these, 80,000 are expected to be older people.

The HelpAge team in Pakistan have said there is a ‘huge threat of cholera and eye infections, immediate need for safe and clean drinking water along with food, sanitation, toilets and clothes’.

Donate to our Pakistan Floods Appeal

Challenges faced by older people in emergencies

How we are helping

By 20 August, more than 2,700 older people affected by the Pakistan floods had received medical help from Age UK via our sister organisation HelpAge International.

In partnership with HelpAge International and alongside medical aid agency Merlin, we’re responding to the emergency in Nowshera district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, one of the worst affected districts.

We currently have specialist medical staff trained on older people’s healthcare working alongside Merlin’s emergency medical teams. They are providing consultations, medication and counselling to older patients hit by the floods.

These staff are distributing personal kits to older people containing the following items:

• One single size bed-sheet with pillow cover 
• One Umbrella 
• One Shawl  
• One comb  
• One torch with Battery  
• One shalwar suit (a traditional two piece cotton suit in a free size)  
• One kg dried dates (which are a great source of age-friendly nutrition, providing essential vitamins and minerals)
• 25 gms of Isabgul Husk (which is an excellent source of natural soluble dietary fibre, reducing the risk of constipation)

By 20 August, we had given out 835 of these personal kits to older people in Pakistan; by 28 August we will have distributed these kits to 2,000 older people.

Mobility aids (walking sticks) and hearing aids are also being distributed where appropriate.

Asma Akbar, Programme Manager for HelpAge in Pakistan, said:

'There is no electricity at the moment so older people who have received these kits have said they are very happy to have a torch which provides them a source of light at night time.

'A lot of the food that is given out is rice which can be difficult for older people to digest properly so we have given them isabgul husks which are an excellent source of natural fibre.

'We have also given out walking sticks, pairs of crutches and hearing aids to outpatients who have visited the clinics. It may not sound important but to a person who is not mobile or who cannot hear, these things have a huge impact on their lives. It can be a very empowering thing as it helps them to be less dependent.'

Planning for a longer term solution

Alongside this emergency response, we are raising funds and planning a longer term strategy to help older people hit by the floods in Pakistan to rebuild their lives. We have a consultant in the field who is undertaking a rapid needs assessment with data collectors, which will provide a more detailed analysis of local needs to inform this strategy.

Asma Akbar, Programme Manager for HelpAge International in Pakistan, commented:

'I can’t believe also how hot it is here – we expected the rain to cool things down but people, including vulnerable and older people, are sitting outside with no shelter. Some of the food being distributed like naan is not suitable for some older people – they can’t swallow it – they need softer food.

‘I talked to one older man, a retired accountant of 70, who was desperately looking for food, running around with his ID card. He seemed strong – I asked if he can help in the relief efforts. “Yes, I can help – as soon as I get food, as soon as I can fill my stomach." Other people feel deep shame to ask for anything. “We will not beg”, one older person said to me, “We will wait until it comes”.’