Disaster Risk Reduction With Elders

India has been traditionally vulnerable to Natural hazards  on account of its unique geo-climatic conditions.  Floods, droughts, cyclones and landslides have been recurring in the Sub-continent and have become disasters with Catastrophic effects.   About 60% of the landmass is prone to earthquakes of various intensities, ; over 40 million hectares prone to floods,  8% of the total area is prone to cyclones and 68% of the area is susceptible to drought.

Climate Change phenomenon have added a new dimension with even areas that have never seen a natural hazard are meeting with uncommon phenomena converting themselves into disasters. 

Elderly in India are particularly vulnerable to disasters (30% or more).  The aspect of differential vulnerability of the elderly to the non-elderly in the context of  actual loss versus relative need, the perception of loss, service stigma and threats to independence, psychological vulnerability, and morbidity and mortality,  impaired physical mobility, diminished sensory awareness, chronic health conditions, and social and economic limitations that prevent adequate preparation for disasters, and hinder their adaptability during disasters has not received adequate attention and the pre-disaster preparedness to the post-disaster rehabilitation have overlooked the specific needs of the elderly, more by default than by design as the Elderly are seen as a non-priority group.

HelpAge India over the past decade (long term interventions in 7 major disasters) has consciously attempted to identify the specific needs of the elderly in disaster affected areas including the need for orderly distribution of relief material with due respect and dignity, need for seating arrangements, special transportation from distribution points to the doorsteps.  While at the time of relief no distinction is affected, it is ensured that no needy elderly is left out as lost and last in the line.

HelpAge has established the concepts of accountability, transparency  and peoples participation in its relief and rehabilitation efforts through innovative use of methods like Social mapping and vulnerability mapping and introducing concepts of Disaster Risk Reduction with the elderly, giving credence to the need to build specific capacities of the elderly (economic, social and psychological) to meet the risks of hazards and build self-reliance of the elderly in the event of a future disaster.