News

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death this month of Cho Ki Dong, founder and Honorary President of HelpAge Korea.

Older people must be at the heart of the Decade if we are to ensure that their rights are recognised by decisionmakers at community, country, regional and global levels.

Older people are being failed in emergency humanitarian responses around the world, overlooked in needs assessments and response plans.

In response to a cut to the UK's commitments on foreign aid, Justin Derbyshire, Chief Executive at HelpAge International highlighted the devastating impact this decision could have on the most marginalised in societies in low- and middle- income countries.

A new report from aid agencies Age International and HelpAge International, If not now, when? criticises the humanitarian sector for its failure to address the needs of older people in emergencies.

A new report from aid agencies Age International and HelpAge International, 'If not now, when?' criticises the humanitarian sector for its failure to address the needs of older people in emergencies. This failure contravenes several international commitments made in recent years and flies in the face of humanitarian principles.

'What happened is unacceptable. This is a disaster for all human beings. Not only in Lebanon but for the whole world.' Kamal (80) Lebanese man who was in the Al Nahr river area, near the port where the explosion happened.

HelpAge Jordan designed a programme to support and protect older people based on the HRP strategic priority: Protect, Assist, and Advocate. This project was supported by the Basic Needs Cluster and the Ministry of Planning and Jordanian Emergency Response.

The blast destroyed the traditional neighbourhoods of central Beirut which are home to a very high number of older people, many of whom were already living in extreme poverty.

I have been in a state of shock since the massive explosion in Beirut. I did not believe the situation in Lebanon could get any worse after the political turmoil, the economic crisis, and then the COVID-19 pandemic. And then this happened.

The COVID-19 pandemic affects all of us but has the greatest impact on those already experiencing poverty, poor health and discrimination.

According to WHO data published in the latest update, adults aged 60 years account for 15.4 per cent of cases in the countries included in the humanitarian response plan and fatalities rise steadily with age.