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HelpAge International Wins Hilton Humanitarian Prize on International Women's Day

Written by Rachel Trayner and Sarah Marzouk Thursday, 08 March 2012 13:24

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On International Women's Day, we are calling for more support for rural older women like Mama Teresa, 68. This International Women's Day, HelpAge International is delighted to be the proud recipient of the 2012 Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize of US$1.5 million.

The award is the world's largest humanitarian prize, and is presented each year to an organisation that has delivered extraordinary work to alleviate human suffering.

The Hilton Prize will be presented at the Global Philanthropy Forum on 16 April in Washington, DC. The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation receives more than 200 nominations from around the world every year and the recipient is selected by an independent international jury.

"A great honour"

Steven M Hilton, CEO and president of the Foundation said: "The world is ageing. By 2015, over 890 million people will be over 60. As the world prepares for this monumental demographic shift, HelpAge is showing us that it is important to recognise and support older people so they can continue to be contributing and productive members of society."

On being selected for the award, Richard Blewitt, HelpAge International's CEO said: "It is a great honour. It is especially meaningful to draw the world's attention to the historic transformation being brought about by global ageing and the plight of millions of older people who face overwhelming financial, social and health hurdles every day.

"At HelpAge, we believe the whole world benefits when we tap the substantial wisdom and talents of older people and enable them to lead dignified, active, healthy and secure lives."

Recognising the role of rural older women

Making the announcement today on International Women's Day, the Foundation recognised the role of rural older women who care for families, contribute to communities and play a major part in food production across the developing world.

"Older women are responsible for much of the farming and food production in developing countries, a critical function as food insecurity grows," notes Catherine A. Bertini, Hilton Prize juror, Syracuse University professor, and former executive director of the United Nations World Food Program. "They are the key contributors to families and communities."

Working on the farm at 68

An example of this is Mama Teresa. She is 68 and a farmer living in Kenya. She said: "I was married at 22 and had ten children, five of whom have died. My husband died in 1982.

"I care for four grandchildren. It is very hard because I have so many and I try to educate them, but money is not there. I also work on the farm and make money from my crops. I have two calves, but I cannot sell them. I need the milk for my family to help them grow.

"In 2008, I joined the Older Citizens Monitoring Group set up by HelpAge International's Affiliate KESPA, to monitor how healthcare officials were treating older people. If you go to the hospital, they don't welcome us properly. You stay there so long, sitting on benches, four to five hours without being seen because you are old.

"Because of our group's work, they now attend to older people as soon as they see us sitting there. But there is still much more to do. I would like them to come and assist us in our homes so we don't have to travel so far."

Support needed for hidden workforce

Worldwide there are an estimated 450 million small-scale farms, like the one Mama Teresa works on. They support a population of roughly 2.2 billion people and represent 85% of the world's farms.

There is growing global concern over the sustainability of food production, distribution of food and increasing food prices as well as the impact of climate hazards, environmental degradation and depletion of natural resources.

Older women make huge contributions as farmers and caregivers. They have knowledge and experience of farming techniques and weather patterns. This can increase production, reduce waste and help mitigate the impacts of a changing, less predictable climate.

However, more action is needed to support this forgotten workforce. Blewitt concluded: "On International Women's Day, HelpAge wants older women farmers to get the help they deserve, including targeted agricultural subsidies, a basic pension for agricultural workers and improved sharing of agricultural skills with children to protect future generations."

International Women's Day photogallery

Portraits of older women surviving in Kenya's rural communities
Click here to see HelpAge International's slideshow

Less than 1% of humanitarian financing targets older people and people with disabilities

Written by Administrator Thursday, 23 February 2012 17:56

A new study by HelpAge International and Handicap International has found a significant disparity between the needs of older people and people with disabilities, and the level of humanitarian assistance delivered to meet their needs.

11% of the world's population is aged 60 and above, while an estimated 15% of people live with disability. However, analysis of over 6,000 projects from 14 UN Consolidated Appeal Processes (CAP) and four Flash Appeals between 2010 and 2011 shows that:

Only 61 funded projects (1%) target older people or people with disabilities.
In 21 countries, no projects in any sector target older people. This includes Chad, Central African Republic and 16 countries in West Africa.
Funding for projects targeting people with disabilities decreased between 2010 and 2011 (from 0.7% to 0.43%).

Systematic failure to assist the most vulnerable
Older people and people with disabilities face specific challenges in humanitarian crises. For example, challenges related to mobility, access to services such as healthcare, and reestablishing livelihoods.

If active steps are not taken, the needs of these highly vulnerable groups will remain unmet. Humanitarian actors must integrate the specific needs of these groups into responses and provide targeted interventions where necessary.

Frances Stevenson, Head of Emergencies at HelpAge said: "This research shows there is a serious problem in the international humanitarian system. Humanitarian aid agencies systematically fail to assist the most vulnerable people.

"Older people and people with disabilities can be particularly vulnerable in crises and disasters and they have specific needs, but time and again their needs are not being properly assessed, analysed or incorporated in responses."

Response must target excluded individuals
Jean-Pierre Delomier, Head of Emergencies at Handicap International added: "At the time of a crisis, NGOs should pay particular attention to targeting the most vulnerable as they have the greatest difficulties accessing humanitarian assistance. It is what we aim to do for these most excluded individuals, by covering both their basic and specific needs."

ASIA: Isolation, poverty loom for an aging population

Written by IRIN Thursday, 16 February 2012 12:23

asia-irin BANGKOK, 14 February 2012 (IRIN) - With 60 percent of the world’s population, Asia has one of the largest concentrations globally of aging persons, creating a host of potential challenges, experts warn.

“Asian countries, besides Japan perhaps, need to plan now. These countries have grown older before they have grown rich,” said Somnath Chatterji with the World Health Organization (WHO) office in New Delhi.

One in four people in Asia will be 60 or older by the year 2050, rising from one in 10 in 2010, according to the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.

Over 65 percent of Asia’s elderly population will be women.

Older women on the waiting list

Written by Administrator Wednesday, 08 February 2012 16:47

HelpAge Canada is the link between yourself and an older person in great need. Chances are that that person’s life has been affected by a natural disaster, such as a severe drought, or that she lives in an area subjected to armed violence and insecurity. One thing is sure: she is extremely poor, and external support is vital.

Some just need a little help: a few hundred dollars will allow a small group of grandmothers to launch a micro-business, and they will improve their lives dramatically – they might even be able to send their grandchildren to school.

Others will be able to survive thanks to the Sponsorship program, which provides them with food, a safe home and medical supervision.

Yet others will receive special care after having been victims of violence, including sexual violence, in areas of high insecurity.

HelpAge International's key achievements in 2011

Written by Administrator Wednesday, 08 February 2012 16:23

Here are some examples of what HelpAge International achieved around the world last year:

HelpAge helped 2 million older people claim their first pension payment – or receive an increased sum.
360,000 older people and their families were helped to get through life-shattering emergencies.
It supported 50,000 older people to fight abuse and discrimination cases with the help of 300 specially trained older people’s groups.
48,000 older people now receive basic health care.
5,000 older people received voluntary HIV counselling and testing service.
Ten more organizations have become HelpAge affiliates and joined the HelpAge International global network.

The Nunavut challenge

Written by Administrator Wednesday, 08 February 2012 16:09

Older people in Nunavut live in communities only accessible by air or boat, far from regional centers and larger medical facilities; and they are facing many problems.

Overcrowded housing, living with children and grandchildren, is difficult for the older person, particularly if they are recovering from a serious illness, and there is no personal space in the home. They are often abused, physically, financially, emotionally, or through lack of care. Alcohol and drug use often leads to financial abuse of the older person. When you are abused or abusing, you think of suicide. Some elders are really scared.

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