HelpAge International  [to 15 March 2014]

Syria three years on: Older refugees in exile, the silent casualties
On the third anniversary of the start of the Syrian conflict, HelpAge International is highlighting the plight of the civil war’s “silent casualties”: the invisible victims of the war who have succumbed both in Syria and also in host countries to what were previously manageable chronic illnesses.

Lack of physical and financial access to regular health care and medication has placed additional stress on people living with chronic disease in exile. This impact is accentuated by the fact that, before the conflict, people in Syria with non-communicable diseases were accustomed to regular treatment. This is in addition to the fact that many of those injured, disabled or traumatised by the fighting will require care and assistance for life.

A forthcoming survey, produced jointly with Handicap International, indicates that 54% of older Syrian refugees living in Jordan and Lebanon have a chronic disease – with war bringing a brutal and damaging interruption to their treatment. The physical, psychological and economic consequences of the conflict in Syria, and in neighbouring countries which have taken in Syrian refugees, are worsening by the day. The research highlights the fact that older refugees fleeing   Syria are affected disproportionately by a variety of conditions, including impairment, and are facing additional difficulties to cope with their displacement.

Displacement has a severe negative impact in the daily life of older people. In the experience of HelpAge International and Handicap International, the presence of a supportive family, but more broadly the existence of an organized network support is an essential part in reducing vulnerability.

Toby Porter, CEO of HelpAge International, said:
“While the perspective for the future still remains unclear, on the third anniversary of the conflict we can see the current Syrian crisis is getting increasingly protracted and will bring additional challenges for both refugees and the host country.

“The loss of previously existing coping mechanisms and support networks also has a big impact on older people. When fleeing the fighting, older people often leave behind a supportive physical and social environment. Life in exile means they often no longer have accessible homes and workplaces, secured access to treatment or connection with family members and relatives.”…

HelpAge @helpage Mar 14
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HelpAgeUSA @HelpAge_USA Mar 13
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HelpAge @helpage Mar 13
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HelpAge @helpage Mar 12
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HelpAgeUSA ‏@HelpAge_USA 21h
We are teaming with @HI_UnitedStates outside #Syria to include older #refugees & people w/ #disabilities http://bit.ly/1gx1AP7

HelpAgeUSA ‏@HelpAge_USA Mar 14
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InterAction @InterActionOrg Mar 9
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