Older Afghans
‘could suffer most’
By: Unknown author
Ageing and development, December, 2001
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies (IFRC) has warned that older Afghans, both inside and
outside their country, could suffer most in the crisis engulfing the
region.
Older people who are displaced in Afghanistan or
forced to flee the country are at risk of malnutrition and illness, as
well as exposure to harsh climatic conditions, warns the IFRC.
Many older people will not be able to flee, due to
the particular physical and mobility problems that older people face, and
will be under increasing threat from the war. The resulting separation of
older people from their families increases their vulnerability.
‘It may not be necessary to provide special
services for older people, but it is necessary to ensure that they have
access to aid and support services which are available for the rest of the
population, and that they are not isolated,’ says IFRC health and care
officer, Jennifer Inger.
‘Older people provide a valuable sense of
continuity, culture and history, which could help displaced groups
maintain their sense of identity and preserve the cohesion of their
community.’
The IFRC has also insisted that older people be
consulted on and involved in the delivery of humanitarian assistance –
not just in emergencies, but also in longer-term development programmes.
Report
recognizes age. Increased global attention to ageing is also reflected
in a report from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR) on the sex and age distribution of refugee populations.
The UNHCR states that gender and age are key factors
determining the needs of a population and in planning operational
activities. It stresses the need to collect adequate statistical
information in emergency situations, and has added the category of over
60s to its data collection.
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