Providing critical services to older people fleeing conflict in South Sudan.
Thousands of older people from South Sudan have been struggling to survive in refugee camps in the Gambella region of Ethiopia. Most live alone and suffer from poor health and mental distress.
HelpAge, in partnership with Plan International and the Rehabilitation and Development Organization (RaDO), is providing a range of services to these older refugees. For example, psychosocial assistance is helping with their mental and emotional needs. Protection services ensure that their rights are respected. Home-based health services allow older people to receive care for wounds and other conditions without needing to travel, and they are screened for malnutrition. Older people with mobility issues or disabilities are receiving transportation and assistive devices.
Our Response
HelpAge is also training volunteers and partners working within the camps on Gender-Based Violence and Humanitarian Action Inclusion. Leadership training is provided for older women to enable them to actively participate in the decision-making process in their communities.
This work is made possible with support from the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration.
