We are living in an era of rapid and unprecedented
global ageing. In 2000, one in ten people was 60 years old or over. By
2050, this figure is expected to triple, to 1.9 billion. Most of this increase
is taking place in the developing world: of the projected global population
of 1.9 billion over-60s by 2050, more than a billion will live in countries
where average income is less than $2 a day, and an unknown number will
be affected by disasters, crises and conflicts. Thus, while population
ageing is unquestionably one of humanity's major achievements, it also
presents a major humanitarian challenge. The needs and capacities of older
people affected by emergencies warrant special attention from the humanitarian
agencies giving assistance. Such special attention is, however, rarely
paid.
This paper summarises the major policy
and practice issues affecting humanitarian protection and assistance for
older people, and recommends measures to ensure that older citizens caught
up in humanitarian crises enjoy equal rights and a fair share of humanitarian
resources, and are included in decision-making in programmes that affect
their lives. It aims to add to the small body of work relating to protection
and assistance issues specific to older people. HelpAge International is
one of the few international organisations that works for older people,
and its emergency operations are limited. Therefore, the paper highlights
gaps in knowledge and areas where further research and work are required,
in the hope of stimulating further progress in this important area.