Building on the Past, Rebuilding the Future: Older Refugees and the Challenge of Survival (July 2002)
Older persons help rebuild communities torn apart by wars and other emergencies, drawing on their historical knowledge, skill and ability to hold communities together.


Developing Guidelines for the Protection of Older People in Human Emergencies (July 2002)
The author suggests appropriate guidelines for the protection of old persons in humanitarian emergencies.


Encouraging Agencies to Pay Attention to the Needs, Knowledge and Experience of Older People (July 2002)
HelpAge International points out the necessity to pay attention to the specific vulnerability of older refugees as well as their contributions to their communities.


Focusing on Older Refugees (July 2002)
Focusing on Africa where many people see older persons as pillars of community life, the author suggests some innovative practices to overcome the marginalization of older refugees.


Legal Protection of the Vulnerable (July 2002)
Because humanitarian aid workers often do not “see” older refugees and bypass them with assistance, this writer calls for legal protection of older refugees and respect for their rights.


New Commitments for Old Displaced Persons (July 2002)
This report highlights the Madrid Plan of Action on Ageing and its recommendations for appropriate response to older persons caught in emergency situations. The first recommendation requires that host countries or international agencies “ensure equal access by older persons to food, shelter, and medical care and other services during and after natural disasters and other humanitarian emergencies.”


Personal Reflection from an Older Refugee (July 2002)
This older refugee testifies to the need to integrate older persons in all efforts to cope with emergency situations- such as building camps and distributing food.