Bangladesh
Bangladesh Association for the Aged and Institute of Geriatric Medicine.
Bangladesh Association for the Aged and Institute of Geriatric Medicine (BAAIGM), popularly known as Probhin Hitoishi Sangha, is a voluntary, non-profit NGO established in 1960. It is the oldest and largest NGO working in Bangladesh to help and improve life for older people throughout the country, focusing specifically on maintaining physical and mental health.
BAAIGM studies the health and socio-economic circumstances of older people, and communicates this to communities and policy makers. It organises courses and training on ageing, and builds older people’s skills to help them generate income and find employment.
BAAIGM became a HelpAge global network member in 2017.
Bangladesh Women’s Health Coalition
Bangladesh Women’s Health Coalition (BWHC), a national non-governmental organisation, was established in 1980 with a vision of a just society where women are equal. They pioneered a health service scheme, through which mothers can access a wide range of health services.
BWHC runs three major programmes and five pilots through its 40 reproductive health centres. Each centre provides both clinical services and community-based activities.
Their mission is to provide communities with a wide range of information and services that support women’s development activities. Their programmes focus on sexually transmitted diseases, HIV and AIDS, counselling, community-based awareness raising to change attitudes and family education.
BWHC works with HelpAge International to challenge thinking and encourage action by people and institutions that can secure rights and health for older women and girls.
BWHC joined became HelpAge global network member in 2010.
Resource Integration Centre
The Resource Integration Centre (RIC) is a NGO founded in 1981 by a group of social activists with a mission to support national development. RIC operates in rural areas to support older people’s rights, economic independence and access to care and services.
RIC’s objectives are to empower older people by building up institutions, supporting women’s development through awareness-raising and responding to emergencies. They also provide services such education to under-privileged people, income generation activities through micro-credit schemes and disaster management programmes.
In partnership with HelpAge International, RIC runs an older citizens monitoring project in which groups of older people monitor the implementation of the Old Age Allowance scheme. Finally, RIC also participates in the HelpAge network Age Demands Action campaign.
RIC has been working with HelpAge International since 1998 and became HelpAge global network member in 2004.
Dhaka Ahsania Mission
Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM) was founded in 1958 and works to enhance people’s capacities to maximally utilize their inner potentials. Their main purpose is to improve living conditions for vulnerable people in all ages.
They work with a multifaceted thematic focus and diverse programmes including education, health, livelihood, human rights & social justice, disaster risk reduction and climate changes.
DAM is member of the Social Protection Working Group in Bangladesh and is therefore very well placed to take forward ageing issues in the country that like many is facing a massive increase in the 60+ group over the next 40 years.
The mission is running community-based centres in 35 districts of Bangladesh and is supporting the HelpAge global network’s reach into even the smallest communities of rural Bangladesh. They are currently building their capacity to focus more on health and care, intergenerational work and other types of community-based work with and for older people.
DAM receives funding from both the Government and the public and has a well-developed capacity to do institutional fundraising and generating resources through running social enterprises.
Dhaka Ahsania Mission became HelpAge global network member in October 2012.
HelpAge International, Bangladesh
HelpAge has been working in Bangladesh since 1991 to strengthen older people’s associations, responding to humanitarian emergencies, and helping communities to better prepare for when disasters strike. Find out more about the work HelpAge is doing in Bangladesh.
India
Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti
Established in 1983, Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS) is a NGO that works to support the development of men, women, and children, regardless of their caste, religion and economic situation. GRAVIS also works towards the rehabilitation of rural communities in the Thar Desert and promotes community ownership.
GRAVIS works locally in more than 850 villages. It also has international partners in countries including Germany, Singapore and USA.
GRAVIS works in a number of areas including health, climate change, social protection, HIV and AIDS, emergencies, disaster risk reduction, rights, policy influencing, livelihoods, social care and the environment.
They recently created a team of village health workers focusing on older people’s health needs. Their water harvesting activities have benefitted over 5,000 older people. GRAVIS has also facilitated the formation of 40 older people’s associations.
The organisation participates in Age Demands Action to raise awareness of older people’s rights. It joined the HelpAge International global network in 2007.
HelpAge India
HelpAge India is a secular, not for profit organisation founded in 1978. It works to improve the lives of disadvantaged older people across 33 cities in India.
The organisation’s aim is to give a voice to India’s 90 million older people and better their lives by providing health and financial services.
HelpAge India also raises awareness of older people’s concerns in communities to promote understanding of ageing issues. They also work with national government to develop policies to secure benefits for older people and make older people aware of their rights and entitlements.
The organisation focuses on the importance of income generation. Since 2004, it has organised 4,000 projects to provide agricultural and livestock-rearing skills.
HelpAge India is a founding member of the HelpAge global network. They take part and encourage others to participate in the Age Demands Action campaign.
Nepal
Ageing Nepal
Ageing Nepal is a non-profit NGO established in 2011 by a group of Nepali social workers committed to helping older people in the country. It does consultancy to develop research and workshops, and help guide policy on ageing.
It trains health workers, care givers and other groups on gerontology and geriatrics, and works with academic institutions to promote research and teaching on ageing issues.
Ageing Nepal campaigns on older people’s rights, and takes proactive measures to fight abuse and exploitation. It builds awareness on issues affecting older people through the media, and gets involved in Age Demands Action.
Ageing Nepal became a HelpAge global network member in 2017.
National Senior Citizen Federation (NASCIF)
The National Senior Citizen Federation (NASCIF) is an NGO established in 2011 to protect the rights, welfare and best interests of older people in Nepal. It has established older people’s associations for older people across all the country.
NASCIF was founded to develop an effective approach to meet the challenges and opportunities of Nepal’s growing number of older people. It acts as a national network for organisations working to improve and uphold the rights of senior citizens in Nepal.
NASCIF is involved in campaigning and awareness raising on older people’s rights, and conducts advocacy work and research on ageing. It also develops educational materials on ageing, runs training courses, coordinates health services, and facilitates the setting up of day care centres throughout Nepal.
NASCIF became a HelpAge global network member in 2017.
Nepal Participatory Action Network (NEPAN)
Founded in 1995, the Nepal Participatory Action Network (NEPAN) is an association of individuals and institutions promoting the participation and empowerment of Nepalese in development across Nepal. It supports people from marginalised groups, especially older people, women, children and disabled people.
NEPAN’s research focuses on ageing, influencing policymaking, developing healthcare services, promoting positive ageing and providing training to partner organisations. It also runs socioeconomic activities to help older people generate secure and reliable incomes.
NEPAN is made up of almost 300 individual and institutional members, and works with government ministries, international NGOs and other national organisations. It became a HelpAge global network member in 2017.
Senior Citizens Chautari (SCC)
Senior Citizens Chautari (SCC) is a non-profit organisation based in Nepal. Our mission is to promote healthy aging and support older people in the village community through various resources and services. We prioritise the health, fitness, and entertainment by offering health check-ups, fitness programs, games, get-togethers, and entertainment activities.
Our objectives include promoting health and wellness, creating an age-friendly environment, linking aging populations with village development, providing information and referrals to local agencies, collaborating with the government and other organisations, fostering community engagement, and addressing the needs and problems of senior citizens in Thecho.
We strive to establish a sustainable social protection system to prevent elderly poverty and meet the growing demand for quality healthcare and long-term care. SCC serves as a platform for exchanging information, coordinating programs, and engaging in joint efforts to support older people. Our dedication lies in ensuring the health and well-being of older people in Thecho through all stages of life.
Pakistan
HelpAge International, Pakistan
In Pakistan HelpAge campaigns for older people’s rights to be recognised in Pakistan, and supports older men and women to develop sustainable livelihoods. HelpAge Pakistan also prepares communities for humanitarian disasters. Find out more about the work of HelpAge in Pakistan.
Pakistan Medico International
Pakistan Medico International (SWA or PMI) was founded by Pakistani students and campaigners in Germany. In the early 1980s they recognised the need to support older people and since have run a number of community based projects for older people, including ophthalmic work.
They have worked with HelpAge for earthquake victims in Kashmir in 2005 and flood victims in Thatta in 2011. PMI has provided medical facilities, education projects, medical mobile units and emergencies equipment in most parts of Pakistan.
They raise funding through nominal fees for service and national and international donations. They are recognised by the Pakistan Government as a registered charity.
PMI has worked with HelpAge International for the last 20 years.
Sri Lanka
HelpAge Sri Lanka
Established in 1986, HelpAge Sri Lanka is a NGO that raises awareness of the contributions older people’s make to society. They believe that older people must enjoy full rights to healthcare, social services and economic and physical security.
HelpAge Sri Lanka has worked on a number of projects including Adopt-A-Granny and programmes to increase older people’s participation in their communities.
HelpAge Sri Lanka sponsored the first dementia care centre in the country and also provides eye care facilities and free cataracts surgeries at a number of local eye care centres.
As a member of the HelpAge global network, HelpAge Sri Lanka has contributed to a number of network events such Age Demands Action.
In December 2009, HelpAge Sri Lanka aligned its vision, mission, values, and visual identity with HelpAge International.