Older people's right to humanitarian assistance HelpAge International's vision is of a world where older people lead active, dignified, healthy and secure lives. This applies to all older people, including those affected by humanitarian emergencies. The four principles of humanitarian action - humanity, neutrality, impartiality and operational independence - afford everyone the right to safe and dignified access to humanitarian assistance and protection without discrimination and on an equal basis with others. Commitment to international humanitarian law and these principles means everyone responding to a humanitarian crisis has a responsibility to ensure all those affected, including older people, have these rights upheld. We want older people to be able to access humanitarian aid with dignity and in safety. Older people are not inherently vulnerable to disasters. However, when disasters strike, they are at risk of having their rights denied.