The surge of violence in Lebanon is placing tremendous strain on a country that is home to the highest proportion of older people in the Arab world.
Making up 11 percent of the country’s population, many of those caught up in the crisis will be older and may already face significant challenges related to health and mobility issues.
“The recent upsurge in the bombing of southern Lebanon and other parts of the country comes on top of months of displacement affecting tens of thousands of people. Many of these are older people whose coping strategies will be exhausted by such prolonged levels of stress. We cannot let this further escalation push them over the edge,” said Chris McIvor, regional representative for HelpAge International in the Middle East.
As huge numbers of people flee the towns and villages in the south of Lebanon, seeking safer refuge elsewhere in the country, HelpAge is calling for:
- Allowance to be made for the specific needs of older people to stay in a safe and dignified manner in the shelters being set up across the country.
- Support for older people whose lives are in danger but may not be able to leave conflict zones quickly due to mobility issues.
This level of mass displacement can separate families and overwhelm health systems and other essential services which can leave older people at severe risk of neglect. HelpAge asks that urgent action is taken to ensure the safety and well-being of the nation’s older people.
Notes:
- According to the International Organization for Migration and the Lebanese authorities, it is estimated that more than 90,000 people have been driven from their homes since 23 September – and this number continues to climb. More than 40,000 of these people are seeking shelter in 300 sites.
- Before the start of this current crisis, there were already 111,000 internally displaced people since last October.