Why is it important to consider protection needs of older people in humanitarian responses?
Our population is aging, it is estimated that by 2050, 22% of the global population will be over 60 years &nearly 80% of the world’s older people will live in developing economies, where disasters are more likely to occur, and their effects are felt more acutely
The situation in Ukraine has been described as the oldest humanitarian crisis in the world, with 8.9 million people, or 24% of the population, over 60.
Older people have immense strengths and capacities to contribute to society (i.e., caring for others, role models, Indigenous wisdom, life experience, community leaders, etc.)
Older people's specific needs are often neglected in humanitarian protection and assistance
The protection issues that older people face may arise from human rights violations, from problems at individual, family or community level that are exacerbated by a crisis.