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If not now, when? Keeping promises to older people affected by humanitarian crises

A new report from aid agencies Age International and HelpAge International, If not now, when? criticises the humanitarian sector for its failure to address the needs of older people in emergencies. This failure contravenes several international commitments made in recent years and flies in the face of humanitarian principles.  

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You can also find more information about our report on our humanitarian response page.

Executive summary 

Older people, despite the risks they face during emergencies, are marginalised and in some cases excluded by the humanitarian aid response. If not now, when? provides urgent recommendations for humanitarian actors, donors and agencies for an inclusive humanitarian response for older people.

How can I use this report? 

The findings in this report reflect a longstanding neglect of older people in humanitarian crises. Successive research studies have consistently shown the damaging impact of the collective neglect of older people. Core humanitarian principles are not being respected.

The humanitarian community must stand in solidarity with older people, addressing the issues revealed by this report that have contributed totheir exclusion from humanitarian assistance, and fulfil its commitment to deliver humanitarian responses in accordance with humanitarian principles.

This can be achieved by putting recommendations outlined in the report into practice. 

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Last updated: Nov 26 2020

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