HelpAge International: Sharing and Learning Amman, Jordan, May 14, 2014 Nabil M Kronfol MD, Dr PH: CSA Martine Najem, MPH: CSA, FHS/AUB

Foundation Our vision and mission Strategic tools Accomplishments CSA Symposium: Seniors in emergencies Future Plans Center for Studies on Aging (CSA)

Foundation The Center for Studies on Aging A non-governmental organization founded in 2008 and led by a group of professionals committed to the promotion of evidence-based policy and practice in support of the older population in Lebanon and the Arab world. Its motto is TRIPP {Translation of Research into Policy and Practice) Founding members Researchers and academicians, geriatricians, representatives from governmental and non-governmental institutions, service providers and social workers. Main supporters United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) HelpAge International (HAI) World Health Organization

Our vision and mission Aim The aim of the CSA is to create a hub for research, education, policy formulation, advocacy and training on aging in Lebanon and the region. Vision The vision of CSA is Lebanon and a region in which older adults fulfill their potential in leading dignified and secure lives. Mission The mission of the CSA is to create a hub for research, education, policy formulation and training on aging in Lebanon and the Arab region.

The main pillars of the Centre’s strategic tools are: 1.Research, database, networks, and conference Objective: To raise awareness/advocacy of ageing issues 2.Human resource development Objective: To promote good practice in the care of older people through training and capacity building 3.Optimizing opportunities in development plans and policies Objective: To promote active participation and mainstreaming of older people issues across all sectors Strategic tools

Accomplishments CSA Website Data Repositories Two online data repositories that contain articles on ageing in Lebanon and the Arab world Policy Briefs Older people in Lebanon: Voices of the care givers Pensions: A right long overdue for the older citizens Chronic disease and aging in the Eastern Mediterranean Region End of Life Care Age Friendly Cities: An Opportunity for Friendly Aging Seniors in Emergencies: A call to action

Accomplishments Research Activities Lebanon Country Profile in 2011 (English and Arabic) Region-wide mapping of ageing policies, programs and legislations for the MIPAA and ICPD reviews in Studies on seniors in emergencies, Lebanon, in 2006 Networks In collaboration with the Faculty of Health Sciences at AUB, CSA established the Public Health in the Arab World – Arab Ageing Network (PHAW-AAN) in March, 2014 which so far has 167 subscribers

Accomplishments Conferences, Workshops and Proceedings November, 2009: Aging in Arab Countries – Research, Policy and Development October 2010: Linking Research to Policy in the Middle East Region: Family Ties and Aging November, 2011: Lebanese Epidemiological Association 16 th Annual Meeting “The Elderly in Lebanon: Expanding the Research Agenda to Meet Current and Future Challenges” July, 2012: Expert Group Meeting: ICPD and MIPAA Mapping of Policies and Programs on Aging in Arab World December, 2013: Older Persons in Emergencies: Challenges, Opportunities and Recommendations for Relief Workers

Engagement CSA has become an affiliate of HAI in 2013 CSA members actively engaged with INPEA (International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse); WDA (World Demographic Association in St Gallen); International efforts for seniors in emergencies (Canada PH Agency);

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 Participants 88 representatives from: CSA, UNFPA, WHO, UNHCR, World Bank, Caritas, Handicap International, Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) Ministries: MOSA, MOH, MOE.. National Relief Agency, National Commission on Ageing Faculties of Health Sciences: AUB, UoB, LU and others Media professionals

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.

CSA Symposium: Older Persons 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 CSA Symposium: Older Persons in Emergencies

Future Plans Proposed Interventions 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

Future Plans Proposed Interventions Project on Management of NCDs among older refugees Medecine du Monde, AMEL, YMCA, HelpAge International and FHS/AUB Objectives: -Provide quality management of selected chronic diseases (hypertension, diabetes) to adult patients among Syrian refugees and host communities -Improve health care for people aged 60 and above

Areas of Potential Collaboration with HAI Seminar series or roundtable discussions on work with older people among Syrian refugees and host communities Developing and adapting training modules for relief workers on seniors in emergencies Other ideas being explored

THANK YOU Questions and Discussion