Older men and women affected by the war in Gaza, which took place from December 2008 to January 2009, have been voicing their hopes and fears as part of a programme supported by HelpAge International.

HelpAge's Palestinian partner, the National Agency for Family Care (NAFC), has been providing food and psychosocial support to older people in Ezbet Abed Rabo, northern Gaza, with funding from Help the Aged raised through the Disasters Emergency Committee UK Appeal.

The war left more than 1,300 people dead, 3,500 injured and 100,000 people displaced. Health facilities, infrastructure and farmland were damaged and services were disrupted. The already difficult conditions from years of conflict were exacerbated.

Lack of services

Older people in Gaza face particular problems. At least 42% of those aged 65 and over live below the poverty line. Almost half are living with chronic diseases. Yet few services are directed to older people.

A needs assessment carried out by NAFC highlighted older people's sense of isolation, as well as their need for immediate relief and support to generate an income. NAFC organised food deliveries to 50 displaced older men and women in Ezbet Abed Rabo, and arranged recreational visits to the sea.

Wish for peace

More than one in five of the older people had lost husbands, wives, children or grandchildren. Their homes and livelihoods had been destroyed in the war and they could not afford essentials such as food, clothes, medicine or shelter.

Their main wish was to have their homes rebuilt and to live in them before they died, and for their remaining children and grandchildren to have the freedom to move in and out of Gaza. All of them wanted to make the pilgrimage to Mecca.
Some spoke of their wish to see children living outside Palestine, whom they had not seen for several years because of border closures. They all said they wanted the project to continue, especially the recreational days.

"I felt happy"

Latifa, 82, was one of those who took part in the outings. Her home of 30 years was destroyed in the conflict. Her son's house was also destroyed and one of her grandchildren died. She now lives in rented accommodation some distance away.

"My sons leave me at home alone," she said. "When they go on a trip with their wives, they don't ask me to come. I had never been to the sea before. The only happy things after the war have been the trips with NAFC."

Longer-term plans

The work with NAFC is part of HelpAge's first programme in Gaza. It is one of six short-term projects in different parts of Gaza which supports older people by providing them with medical aids, including glasses, clearing land for farming, and delivering health services.

HelpAge plans to work with NAFC in the future to set up community groups led by older men, who traditionally have a leadership role.

Through these groups, NAFC will provide livelihoods support, home-based care and emotional support to older men and women, which will include training younger people as volunteers.