Five years on – how older people have fared since the tsunami

Five years ago, an earthquake off the Indonesian coast on December 26, 2004, and the consequent tsunami devastated families and entire communities in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and India. The loss of homes, livelihoods and families were particularly hard to cope with for many older people too frail to rebuild their lives alone.

Thanks to generous donations from people in the UK to the Disasters and Emergencies Committee (DEC) appeal, Help the Aged and its international partner HelpAge International have assisted hundreds of thousands of  older people.

For some the help came from the mobile medical units able to reach remote areas. Others have moved into new homes built specially for them. Even small things like new spectacles have meant renewed hope and activity for older people.

Thanks to the creation of older people’s groups, many regained status and independence. They were able to ensure that community decisions took older people and their needs into account. Other groups have taken an active part in planning for future disasters and local government consultations.

While thousands of older people are once again living with family and community support, some have not been so fortunate. Those without support from family members or a means of livelihood are still very vulnerable.

An innovative scheme

To meet the needs of this group, an innovative scheme (which has been copied elsewhere) is the Tamaraikulam Elders’ Village (TEV) in India. The village is run by its residents via committees.

The village aims to be self-sufficient and grow enough rice to feed all the residents. Those able to do so can take part in income-generating activities. The older people produce a variety of things: toiletries, rope made from banana leaves; bags; pickles and masala powder; and handicrafts.

At TEV, people who might otherwise be isolated and struggle to survive find community and purpose. One committee member is Mrs Gandhi.  Mrs Gandhi has health problems which mean she cannot work standing. As a member of the Food Committee, she washes and chops vegetables in the kitchen from 10-11 each morning. Then she helps serve the food to the residents. Mrs Gandhi is also a member of the Rope Committee which makes bags for sale.

For people like Mrs Gandhi and the other residents at TEV the devastation of the tsunami has led to positive changes. Age UK remains committed to ensuring that older people affected by emergencies are helped in a sustainable way and the TEV model shows that with the right funding and help older people are able and willing to lead useful and fulfilling lives.