Vulnerable but resilient

1
Vulnerable but resilient

• ESCAPs work on the impact of the tsunami on
  older persons

2
Objectives of the Project

• Document the experiences of socially marginalized
  or vulnerable groups (e.g. older persons,
  youth, persons with disabilities, ) as well as
  women.
• To see how they were affected differently by the
  disaster, whether they participated in
  decision-making and whether their needs were met
  during the initial aftermath and in
  reconstruction

3
Research

• In Indonesia (Aceh), Sri Lanka and Thailand
  focus group discussions were held to obtain
  qualitative data and information concerning the
  needs of affected survivors .
• Structured interviews were used to obtain basic
  quantitative socio-economic demographic data as
  well as data on livelihood and health services.
• Consultations were held with government, local
  authorities, local NGOs and others.

4
Sharing of Research Findings

• National workshops ( Jakarta, Colombo,Bangkok) to
  share research findings with governments, NGOs,
  academics , UN agencies and others involved in
  post-disaster reconstruction and
  law/policy-making.
• Regional workshop in Phuket for Indonesia, Sri
  Lanka, Thailand, and Maldives, India to share
  national experiences and address the
  priorities/concerns of these specific groups of
  survivors in rebuilding process and in disaster
  preparedness and through appropriate laws and
  policies

5
Characteristics of Older Populations

• A higher percentage are poorer and less educated
  compared to general population.
• Generally physically weaker and may suffer from
  chronic illness.
• Tend to be excluded from development programmes,
  have limited opportunities to earn income and may
  have limited access to information and resources.
• Tend to be less able to fight for what they need
  and may be very dependent on others. Health
  conditions and socio-economic circumstances, poor
  social support and health facilities all may
  affect the independence of older people.

6
Characteristics (contd)

• However, before tsunami some were engaged in
  economic activities such as fishing, wage labour
  and informal sector , petty trade.
• Because of the long period of continuous conflict
  in some tsunami-affected countries, coping
  mechanisms had been developed to cope with
  problems of weak infrastructure and basic
  services, especially health and education.
• An estimated 35,000 people, predominantly women,
  children and older people, had already been
  displaced by internal conflict. Some of those
  displaced have also been affected by the tsunami.

7
Findings and lessons learned

• Though relief was made available by government
  and relief agencies, specific measures were not
  taken to reach older persons who often were
  unable to stand for long periods waiting for
  relief or were unable to compete with younger
  persons in survival of the fittest.
• Few, if any international relief agencies
  considered the vulnerability of older persons
  during and after the disaster.
• Needs assessment not the same as consultation and
  participation.

8
Findings and lessons learned (contd )

• Relief workers targeted children, particularly
  orphans, but did not regard older people as a
  vulnerable group with particular needs.
• A majority of respondents said that relief aid
  was not distributed equally, causing discord and
  jealousy among survivors
• Trauma, psycho-social problems, insecurity re
  land/property rights
• Washrooms in camps and barracks were not very
  accessible for older persons, especially at
  night, due to distance and limited lighting.
• People living in barracks had little to do,
  resulting in depression, frustration, etc.

9
Findings and lessons learned (contd)

• Care-giving responsibilities increased especially
  for older women
• Family structure changed with loss of family
  members implications of roles within family
  (including gender roles) .
• Reconstruction of their homes and livelihoods
  (access to equipment, tools, funds and training)
  were priorities of older persons in the
  rehabilitation process Most of the affected
  survivors of all ages preferred to be able to
  start working again, in order to be self-reliant
  and not dependent on aid.
• Older persons are experienced and can be
  productive, contributing members of their
  communities if enabled to do so.

10
RECOMMENDATIONS

• Ensure the availability of valid data
  disaggregated by gender, age and disability
  status.
• Establish a transparent system of dissemination
  of information which is accessible for all,
  including vulnerable groups and women.
• Adopt a human rights framework to relief and
  reconstruction work that guarantees access for
  all to information, opportunities and services
  without any form of discrimination and with
  special attention to land/property rights, and
  people who have been made more vulnerable as a
  result of disasters.
• Establish mechanisms to support older persons
  access to their entitlements
• Mainstream issues and concerns of vulnerable
  groups into all policies, programmes and projects
  as well as disaster prevention and management
  strategies.

11
Recommendation (contd)

• As community participation has been too limited
  so far in programmes run by NGOs, relief
  organizations as well as those run by the UN and
  governments, all groups in society should
  participate in plans for recovery at every level.
  
• Create opportunities for older persons to
  participate in decision-making and the
  implementation of their community and country
  disaster management plans
• Provide safety nets to cover women and all
  vulnerable groups such as children, people with
  disabilities and older persons.
• Develop social protection schemes such as small
  regular cash payments to very vulnerable older
  persons

12
Recommendations (contd)

• Support community-based and self-reliance
  initiatives
• Support older persons who want to work with
  appropriate skills, funding and jobs
• Build upon local strengths and coping mechanisms
• Promote a paradigm that treats older persons as
  subjects, who actively participate and make
  decisions about their future, rather than as
  objects who are passive recipients, recognizing
  their vulnerability as well as their resilience.