2014 UNHCR ANNUAL CONSULTATIONS WITH NGOS - GENEVA Side Event on Protection services for all: Integrating and empowering the diversity of refugee populations in sexual and gender-based violence programming, 18 June 2014 Martine Najem, MPH Center for Studies on Ageing CSA Center for Public Health Practice, FHS/AUB

Older Refugees in Crisis Situations Deterioration of physical health and exacerbation of pre- existing health conditions Chronic diseases Sensory impairment Neurological Problems Mental Health worsened due to accumulation of stress Economic constraints due to absence of income Socio-cultural influences Attachment to home Traditional authority and respect within family is threatened with displacement

Older Refugees in Crisis Situations – Cont’d Inadequacy of relief packages/Kits Low access to health care services and relief supplies Lack the knowledge and skills among care providers to attend to the specific needs of older people among refugees

Syrian Refugees Crisis A regional priority of utmost urgency in the Middle East More than 2 million Syrian refugees are dispersed in the region among Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Egypt and Iraq. Amplified need for humanitarian aid and basic commodities Shortage in resources to ensure appropriate response Lack of attention to specific vulnerable groups

How vulnerable are Syrian refugees? A significant proportion of registered refugees are above 60 years: 3000 to 20,000 in each refugee population Research by HI and HAI in Jordan and Lebanon: 30 per cent of refugees have specific needs 1 in 5 refugees is affected by physical, sensory or intellectual impairment 1 in 7 is affected by chronic disease Needs Assessment in Northern Iraq (Domiz Camp) Women with disabilities more vulnerable as they were unmarried compared to men with disabilities who tended to marry non-disabled women. No specific mechanisms to target older people or PWD

Zoom in …. Older Women Refugees Systematically challenged and disempowered by poverty and lack of access to social services Still expected to fulfill their traditional roles without resources Compromise their own health and well being to take care of others Lack of privacy undermines their sense of dignity Excluded from receiving aid if widowed or single Restricted movement because of insecurity and fears of harassment or attack Increased vulnerability to exploitation in remote areas and where the terrain is difficult

Role of Older Women Refugees Older women contribute in many ways: Income generators Caring for children, the sick, or orphaned dependents Teaching younger people, especially by their example of co-operative action Supporting in food production Having a role to mitigate conflict within household and with the host community

CSA Symposium on Older Persons in Emergencies: December 2013 Objectives To draw attention to seniors in emergency in the context of the Syrian refugee crisis To present available data / statistics on older refugees To discuss challenges faced in providing aid to older refugees based on experiences in Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon To discuss opportunities for engaging seniors as active contributors in their own communities To draft the essentials of an action plan to address issues related to the seniors among the Syrian refugees in Lebanon

CSA Symposium: Older Persons in Emergencies Outcome A bilingual action brief on “Seniors in Emergencies” Distributed to participants to guide relief efforts in dealing with seniors in emergencies. Made available to interested NGOs for ease of reference of relief workers in the field. An updated policy brief on seniors in emergencies

Selected Recommendations Ensure the inclusion of older people in needs assessments Fund programs specifically for older refugees Ensure that older persons have easier access to services and humanitarian aid and their specific needs are met Tap unto older persons as a resource in emergency situations Include services which offer care-giving services to older persons Develop a training program for social and relief workers on older people inclusive programming Engage women and older women in scaling up the prevention against SGBV Older Persons in Emergencies

Proposed Program Building understanding and technical capacity for older people-inclusive humanitarian response HelpAge International and Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) at the American University of Beirut (AUB) Objective 1: Recognize the specific needs and capacities of older adults in humanitarian settings Objective 2: Advocate within their organizations and communities for older-person inclusive programming Objective 3: Develop an action plan for an inclusive humanitarian program in their sector and area of work Objective 4: Support other peers in designing, implementing and evaluating older-person inclusive programs

References HelpAge International and Handicap International (2014). Hidden victims of the Syrian crisis: disabled, injured and older refugees. Chahda N, Sayah H, Strong J, Varady CJ. Forgotten voices: An insight into older persons among refugees from Syrian in Lebanon. Beirut, Lebanon: Caritas Lebanon Migrant Center 2013 UNHCR & Help Age- International. Older people in disasters and humanitarian crises: Guidelines for best practice. Handicap International (2013) Rapid Needs Assessment Situation of children, youth and adults with disabilities, within and around Domiz, Northern Iraq. International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Women’s Refugee Commission (WRC) (2013). Building capacity for disability inclusion in gender-based violence programming in humanitarian settings-Jordan. Ministry of Social Affairs & UNFPA (2007). Experiences, Needs, Vulnerabilities, & Resources of Older Adults. Population and Development Strategies (PDS) Project. El-Masri, R., Harvey, C., & Garwood, R.(2013). Shifting Sands: Changing gender roles among refugees in Lebanon.

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