Elderly could suffer in afghan crisis, warns Red Cross Red Crescent
1 october 2001

Today, on the International Day for Older Persons, the Red Cross Red Crescent warns that elderly people could suffer the most in any major exodus of refugees from Afghanistan in the coming weeks. "Winter is on the way and we are concerned that this, combined with the trauma of displacement will have a very severe impact on old Afghan refugees," said Dr. Hakan Sandbladh, emergency health co-ordinator for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

The Red Cross Red Crescent has not been able to carry out normal replenishment of stocks in the 48 clinics run by the Afghan Red Crescent which assist some one million people each year. Many elderly now on the move depend on these clinics for basic medicines and this is being taken into account in the pre-positioning of emergency medical supplies in the region that is taking place in response to the present crisis.

"It may not be necessary to provide special services for older people in emergency situations, but it is necessary to ensure that they have access to aid and support services which are available for the rest of the population, and that they are not isolated," points out Jennifer Inger, International Federation senior officer in the Health and Care Department.

In situations where communities are displaced, older people can also provide a sense of continuity, culture and history which can assist displaced groups to maintain their sense of identity and preserve the cohesion of the community.

"This is very important particularly in a context like Afghanistan where grandparents are an integral part of the family structure," she adds.

The Red Cross and Red Crescent advocates that older people must be involved and consulted on the delivery of aid not just in emergencies but also in longer-term development programmes. They have a productive role to play in many humanitarian crises for example grandparents looking after millions of children orphaned as a result of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact:

Denis McClean, Head, Media Service: Tel: +41 22 730 4428/ +41 79 2173357

Eva Calvo, Information Officer : Tel.: +41 22 730 4357/ +41 79 217 3372

Duty phone: Tel.: +41 79 416 3881

The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 181 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.