HelpAge Asia

Capacity Building Support to the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare: Study Tour to Vietnam
2015-05-18 - 2015-05-22 | Hanoi, Vietnam
Date: 18 -22 May 2015
Venue: Hanoi, Vietnam
A number of countries in ASEAN, including Vietnam, have initiated new social protection policies and programmes which are generating new learning on best practice for implementing social protection in low- and middle-income countries.
The Laos Social Protection Conference, which was hosted by the Government of Lao People’s Democratic Republic (GOL) in February, has created more interest social protection issue among relevant government agencies. Two speakers from the government agency and academic institute in Vietnam participated in the event and shared the Vietnam experience. Laos and Vietnam have already been in regular exchange learning on different policy issues .The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MLSW) is now keen to further learn and discuss the social protection with the government of Vietnam, and to apply to development of social protection in the country.
Learning through sharing experience between countries is one of the most effective ways for capacity building on different areas of development. Therefore, a series of study tour on social protection to ASEAN countries and beyond was included as one of the key activities to enhance capacity on social protection strategy for GoL staff, and the first one is a visit to Vietnam.
The study tour aims to provide an opportunity for GoL staff to expose and learn about different social protection policies and programmes in Vietnam. It will focus on non-contributory social assistance and productive safety nets in the context of a life cycle approach. This is because it is relatively underdeveloped in Laos, and Vietnam has wealth of experience to share.

2015-04-27 | Kuala Lampur, Malaysia
COSE nomination to ASEAN Leaders Interface
Date: 27 April 2015
Venue: Kuala Lampur, Malaysia

As ASEAN Chair, Malaysia will organise the ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with representatives of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Youth representatives during the 26th ASEAN Summit, to be held on 27 April 2015 in Kuala Lampur.
The Coalition of Services of the Elderly (COSE) has been invited by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to attend the meeting as the Philippine CSO representative, on behalf of older people. COSE will be the one of 10 NGOs in a 30 minute meeting with the heads of state.
Congratulations on COSE’s nomination!

Expert Group Meeting on the Development of Older People’s Association
2015-03-25 08:00 - 2015-03-26 17:00 UTC | Hotel Santika Premiere, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Date: 25-26 March 2015
Venue: Hotel Santika Premiere, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas), in collaboration with Yayasan Emong Lansia and HelpAge International will conduct an Expert Group Meeting on the Development of Older People’s Association. The meeting is intended to strengthen Indonesia’s national social protection policy and to support the drafting process of the 2015-2019 National Action Plan for Older People.
The meeting will cover the following topics:

Older People’s Policy Direction in the National Midterm Development Plan 2015-2019
Long-Term Care Policy and Services for the Elderly in East Asia, Options for Indonesia to Consider
Older People’s-Related Policy Analysis in Indonesia
National Older People’s Movement and Its Network
CSOs & OPAs in Indonesia
Options for Indonesia
Further Plans and Steps

The HelpAge Intergenerational Self-Help Club model which is successfully implemented in Vietnam will be also shared.

The 3rd UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction
2015-03-14 - 2015-03-18
The 3rd UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction

The 3rd UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR) will be held from 14 to 18 March 2015 in Sendai City, Japan. Several thousand participants are expected, including at related events linked to the World Conference under the umbrella of building the resilience of nations and communities to disasters.
The United Nations General Assembly Resolution for 2013 on International Strategy for Disaster Reduction states that the World Conference will result in a concise, focused, forward-looking, and action-oriented outcome document and will have the following objectives:

To complete assessment and review of the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action;
To consider the experience gained through the regional and national strategies/institutions and plans for disaster risk reduction and their recommendations as well as relevant regional agreements within the implementation of the Hyogo Framework of Action;
To adopt a post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction;
To identify modalities of cooperation based on commitments to implement a post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction;
To determine modalities to periodically review the implementation of a post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction.

Delegates from HelpAge International are going to attend and advocate for inclusion of older people in to the post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction. Along with participation in the exhibition and World Bank session with older people from Japan and Philippines, we are going to officially launch the first Disaster Risk and Age Index, ranking 190 countries across the world on the disaster risk faced by older people, on the IGNITE stage.

For more information of the WCDRR, please visit the conference website.
For information on Disaster Risk and Age Index, please visit our press release.

ASEAN+3: Are We Ready for Our Ageing Society?
2015-03-03 - 2015-03-05 | Chiang Mai, Thailand
Date: 3-5 March 2015
Venue: Chiang Mai, Thailand
The Office of Promotion and Protection of Children, Youth, the Elderly and Vulnerable Groups (OPP) Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, (MSDHS), Thailand will conduct the regional workshop on “ASEAN+3: Are We Ready for Our Ageing Society?” at the Imperial Mae Ping Hotel in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
The workshop aims to learn and share knowledge and experiences on the situation of older people, policies, good practices and the implementations, challenges and ways forward for ASEAN+3 countries as well as to develop guidelines and initiatives on elderly cooperation among ASEAN+3 community.

Community-based social care: What is the role of the state?
2015-01-27 - 2015-01-28 | Bangkok, Thailand
Date: 27-28 January 2015
Venue: Bangkok, Thailand
HelpAge East Asia and Pacific Regional Office in collaboration with the Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand will organised a regional workshop entitled “Community-based social care: What is the role of the state?” in Bangkok, Thailand. This event is supported by the European Union.
The aim of this regional workshop is to stimulate the discussion on the role of government in promoting community-based care for older people with an emphasis on social care.
At least 50 participants from East and Southeast Asia are expected, the majority from government but others representing civil society, academia and international agencies.

For more information please contact Ms Usa Khiewrord
usa@helpageasia.org
+66 (0) 53 225440

For summary of the event, agenda and presentations, click here

Community Driven Development training for development practitioners
2015-01-12 - 2015-01-16 | Hanoi, Vietnam
Community Driven Development training for development practitioners
Date: 12-16 January 2015
Venue: Hanoi, Vietnam

HelpAge Vietnam country office (HAIV) will organise a one-week capacity building programme entitled “Community Driven Development (CDD) training for development practitioners” for better understanding of various approaches to community-drivern development.
The core methodologies and development strategies used in the training course focus on practical and doable individual, community and organisational level development skill and people friendly tools as a crucial base for the CDD training programme. Field exposure visits to HAIV community development programmes deepen understanding of how CDD concepts are applied and achieve practical and sustainable results.

Regional Expert Consultation on Long-term Care of Older Persons
2014-12-09 - 2014-12-10 | United Nations Conference Center, Bangkok, Thailand
Regional Expert Consultation on Long-term Care of Older Persons
Date: 9-10 December 2014
Venue: United Nations Conference Center, Bangkok, Thailand

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is organizing a Regional Expert Consultation on Long-term Care of Older Persons, 9-10 December 2014, in Bangkok, Thailand. The Consultation is being organized in the context of a project implemented in partnership with the National Health and Family Planning Commission of China, and builds upon the outcomes of the Asia-Pacific Expert Group Meeting on Long-Term Care held in Shanghai in December 2013.
Read more detail and concept note: http://www.unescapsdd.org/events/regional-expert-consultation-long-term-care-older-persons

COSE 25th anniversary
2014-11-30 | St. Paul University Theater, Quezon City, Metro Manila, the Philippines
COSE 25th anniversary
Date: 30 November 2014
Venue: St. Paul University Theater, Quezon City, Metro Manila, the Philippines

Heart unwrinkled: 25 years of growing in age and grace
Established in November 1989, the Coalition of Services of the Elderly, Inc. (COSE) is the only non-government organisation working with poor older people in urban and rural areas in the Philippines.
Believing in the importance of older people in the community to share their experiences and wisdom, and to teach us all about our own ageing, COSE works to ensure that older people remain active in the community, thereby enabling to continue contributing to the welfare of the greater society.
This year, COSE is now on its 25th year. To celebrate this remarkable journey, COSE will organise an annual event ‘The Elderly Filipino Week’ on 30 November 2014. The celebration provides a timely opportunity for the organization to honour 10 outstanding older people in the Philippines through a programme called Sampung Ulirang Nakatatanda (SUN). This is to recognise the important contributions of older persons to society. SUN awardees have been chosen from different sectors, including those of farmers, women, disabled persons and tribe members, who, one way or another, have rendered exemplary service to their respective communities.
The ceremony will also feature other 15 awardees from different sectors, including 5 each from the local government, who have been exemplary in addressing the issues of the elderly, 5 from media for their promotion of the issues and rights of the elderly, and an additional 5 special awards.
As part of the 25th Anniversary celebration, COSE continues to arrange a series of activities in January next year:

Intergenerational Fun Run “Young ones for the young once” – Flock of students with their grandma and grandpa will hit the road as the event seeks to partner with colleges and universities in the metro. It will provide opportunities for intergenerational learning and promoting activities that foster stronger family ties.
Photo Exhibition – Internationally recognized Filipino photographer, Rick Rocamora, offered his considerable skills to interpret the 25 year event. The exhibition will feature a sampling of thousands of older people, who late in life both shared and received the singular grace of service.

KOICA Lesson Learned Workshop for year-end 2014 in Myanmar
2014-11-08 - 2014-11-09 | Kayin Baptist Church, Pyin Oo Lwin in Mandalay Region, Myanmar
Date: 8-9 December 2014
Venue: Kayin Baptist Church, Pyin Oo Lwin in Mandalay Region, Myanmar
Year-end review workshop was held for two days (8-9 December 2014) at Kayin Baptist Church, Pyin Oo Lwin in Mandalay Region. The total 45 OPSHG members from KOICA project, NSA project (MYA 038), and National Federation representatives attended the workshop for sharing the sustainability of OPSHG.
The target topics of the whole workshop discussion are Livelihoods, IGV/Fundraising, Health, Participation of women and monthly meeting, the role of TNCs, and the sustainability of OPSHG highlighting on three main sectors: Achievements, Challenges, and Ways to overcome. There was parallel discussion for each pair of topics among 6 groups (3 groups for livelihoods and 3 groups for IGV at the same time) and group presentation came out of respective teams. All the feedbacks from each presentation were revised for the next year action plan at the end of the workshop and those recommendations from OPSHG were more likely to be practical.
There was a better together session in which sample movie clip of Vietnamese OPA’s monthly meeting and learning Korean physical exercises were organised by Ms. Jiweon Lee (HAK). After wrapped up and evaluation, the fruitful outcomes of this workshop was visible to all the participants for their upcoming year plan.

Winning the fight against poverty and inequality – a Social Protection Floor for everyone
2014-11-04 - 2014-11-06 | European Parliament, Brussel, Belgium
Winning the fight against poverty and inequality – a Social Protection Floor for everyone
Date: 4-6 November 2014
Venue: European Parliament, Brussel, Belgium

SOLIDAR roundtable Debate “Winning the fight against poverty and inequality – a Social Protection Floor for everyone”

In June 2012, the ILO Recommendation No. 202 concerning National Floors of Social Protection was unanimously adopted by the global community. Through it, governments have committed to ensure universal access to essential services and protection against the risks of sickness, unemployment, poverty, etc. Yet, today, more than 70 per cent of the world population is not adequately covered by social protection.
With this background, in the framework of the Universal Social Protection Advocacy Tour, SOLIDAR is organising a Round Table Debate titled “Winning the fight against poverty and inequality: a Social Protection Floor for everyone”.
Usa Khiewrord, Regional Programme Manager from HelpAge East Asia and Pacific Regional Office, was invited to participate in the Universal Social Protection Advocacy Tour, organized by Solidar, Brot fur die Welt (Bread for the World) and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Universal (FES), at the European Parliament in Brussels from 3rd to 6th November 2014.
The Roundtable debate was a series of bi-lateral meetings between the EU officials, the government representatives, and the delegates from 8 countries from different regions, including Jordan, Lebanon, Kenya, Zambia, Argentina, India, Philippines, and Thailand.
This November the newly elected European Parliament and the European Parliament will be in place. Therefore, the tour aimed to raise awareness among EU decision makers about the role of Social protection floors to fight inequalities. On top of that, the focus was to recommend concrete actions EU decision makers can take to support the full implementation of the International Labour Organisation Recommendation No. 202 (R202) and the European Commission (EC) Communication on Social Protection in EU Development Cooperation.
On 4th November, during the debate whether social protection matters in development cooperation, Usa was requested to present the universal social pensions based on the Thailand scheme. (presentation attached), which is one of the world’s breakthrough success cases of universal social pension.
The European Union is providing support to our partner FOPDEV for a project title “Building capacity for promoting older people’s rights and income security in Thailand”, with an objective to strengthen capacity of civil society to promote consolidation and expansion of the right to income security for marginalised and vulnerable older people in Thailand.

International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR) – Resilience is for life!
2014-10-13 | Worldwide
International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR) – Resilience is for life!
Date: 13 October 2014
Venue: Worldwide

13 October is the International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR) and also the ASEAN Day for Disaster Management (ADDM). It is a day to celebrate how people and communities are reducing their risk of disasters and to promote a global culture of disaster reduction, including disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness.
In 2014, the theme of IDDR is older people, and celebrations will focus on resilience and ageing populations. It will highlight the need for a more inclusive approach for older people in disaster risk reduction, and recognise the critical role that older people can play in resilience-building through their experience and knowledge. HelpAge International is partnering with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) to celebrate IDDR 2014.
Visit UNISDR website for more information.

International Day for Older Persons was celebrated in Lao P.D.R.
2014-10-07 | Boulykhamxay, Lao P.D.R.
International Day for Older Persons was celebrated in Lao P.D.R.
Date: 7 October 2014
Venue: Boulykhamxay, Lao P.D.R.

Lao Women’s Union (LWU) organised a public event in Boulykhamxay province to celebrate the 2014 International Day for Older Persons on the 7th October. It aimed to raise awareness of concerned agencies and the public about the importance of community-based approach in addressing the care needs of older people.
The enthusiastic crowd of around 600 people including representatives from LWU, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, Ministry of Health, HelpAge Korea (HAK), HelpAge International and older and younger people from Boulykhamxay province gathered early in the morning. The President of LWU in the province welcomed the participants. The speech of the representative from HelpAge Korea stressed that the majority of older people continue to contribute to thier families and communities. However, there are older people who are frail and/or suffer from chronic illnesses, and need to be cared for. The participants joined a group exercise to show the unity and remind that a regular exercise is one the main ingredients for achieving healthy ageing.The print materials were distributed, which included the brochure providing key information on ageing population, non-communicable diseases, care needs of older people and how to address through community-based approach.
The highlight was the joint ribbon cutting of LWU and HAK to officially marked the celebration. The banner says “Let’s care for older people in the community” with a huge bunch of balloons in white and pink went off to the sky and cheered by all attending the event.
The atmosphere and activities were captured by the LWU communication team and will be aired on the national TV and also be covered in the provincial newspaper and monthly newspaper of LWU to reach wider audiences. The event is part of “the regional ROK-ASEAN community-based service for older people”, coordinated by HelpAge Korea in collaboration with HelpAge International, with financial support of ROK-ASEAN Cooperation Fund. It is implemented in Laos by LWU in partnership with Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare and Ministry of Health. The project in Lao P.D.R focuses on raising awareness and building capacity of concerned agencies.

To visit photo gallery, click here.

Social Transfer Course: Designing and Implementing Social Transfer programmes
2014-10-06 - 2014-10-17 | Chiang Mai, Thailand
Social Transfer Course: Designing and Implementing Social Transfer programmes
Date: 6-17 October 2014
Venue: Chiang Mai, Thailand

“Designing and Implementing Social Transfer programmes”
a course for policy makers, government officials and practitioners around the world.
Around the world, developing countries are increasingly recognising the value of social transfer programmes in reducing extreme poverty, with success stories in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The Economic Policy Research Institute (EPRI) and HelpAge International, together with the Maastricht Graduate School of Governance and the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) are offering a two-week course including a number of specialised modules aimed at providing participants with an in-depth understanding of the conceptual and practical issues involved in the development of social transfer programmes. Participants will acquire tools required for the appropriate identification and successful design and implementation of these programmes.
The course aims to build the capacity of government policymakers and officials, representatives from bilateral and multilateral agencies, programme practitioners and staff members from non-governmental organisations. The course will serve those who want to more effectively design, implement and manage social transfer programmes with the goal of reducing poverty and better achieving the Millennium Development Goals.
A team of international experts, skilled professionals and leaders in the field will teach the course. The certificated course will be jointly accredited by the Maastricht Graduate School of Governance, the Economic Policy Research Institute and HelpAge International.

Information and application:

Download Social Transfer Course brochure, click here.
Applications can also be completed online.
Please see EPRI’s website for details: www.epri.org.za

For more information, please contact:
Caitlin Littleton, Course Registration Manager
asiacourse@helpageasia.org

Launch of Global AgeWatch Index 2014
2014-10-01 | Worldwide
Launch of Global AgeWatch Index 2014
Date: 1 October 2014
Venue: Worldwide

HelpAge International will be launching the Global AgeWatch Index 2014 on 1 October 2014, which is the only index measuring the quality of life and the social and economic wellbeing of older people in 96 countries, representing 91% of older people globally. In a world in which the number of older people will more than double by 2050, the Index puts a spotlight on how different countries are responding to people’s right to a secure income in later life.
The East Asia and Pacific launch will be held in Bangkok.

Download: GAWI 2014 flyer

Walk for Life in celebration of Elderly Filipino Week
2014-10-01 | Manila
Date: 1 October 2014
Venue: Manila

Our Philippines affliliate, Coalition of Services of the Elderly, held a walk today in Manila together with the Confederation of Older Persons’ Associations of the Philippines to celebrate IDOP2014 and call for better implementation of the Expanded Senior Citizen’s Act (Republic Act No. 9994).

Radio interview with key OPA spokepersons in Cambodia
2014-09-29
Date: 29 September 2014
Time: 01:00 – 02:00 pm

As part of Age Demands Action (ADA), older people in Cambodia will use the United Nation’s International Day of Older Persons on 1 October 2014 to call for action from the government to ensure their rights and protection, including a social pension scheme for all older people aged 65 and above.
Key events that will be led by ADA campaigners in Cambodia include a meeting between a delegation of older people from Older People’s Associations (OPAs) and OPA Federations, and the Provincial Governor of Battambang, on 29 September. Another delegation from OPAs and Federations will meet with the Provincial Governor of Banteay Meanchey on 30 September and with the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation on 7 October in Phnom Penh.
Key OPA spokespersons, including Mr Ton Sovan, the OPA Leader from Prey Toch, and Mrs Pech Chhoeub, the OPA Leader from Korohal, along with HelpAge Cambodia staff will participate in a talk-show on the Chamka Chek state run radio station (FM: 92.70Mz), on 29 September from 1:00pm to 2:00pm.
Mr Ton Sovan believes that the radio talk-show is an important opportunity to discuss the challenges faced by older people in Cambodia and what can be done to improve their lives, including expanding the social pension. “Older people in Cambodia are less able to generate income for themselves and their families and a social pension for all older people aged 65 and above will help support their welfare and wellbeing”, said Mr Ton Sovan.

Members from YEL marching in Jarkarta
2014-09-21 | Car Free Day area, Jakarta
Date: 21 September 2014
Venue: Car Free Day area, Jakarta

As part of the Age Demands Action campaign, 115 members of our Indonesian affiliate, Yayasan Emong Lansia (YEL), marched with members of Alzheimer Indonesia in Jakarta.
The march started early in the morning to meet with the Minister of Health, Dr. Nafsiah Mboi, and the Lieutenant Governor of Jakarta, Tjahaja Basuki Purnama. About 1000 campaigners wore purple T-shirts printed with the slogan ‘Jangan Maklum Dengan Pikun’ (‘Don’t just accept dementia’) in support of World Alzheimer’s Day.
In response, the Jakarta Government has promised to make Jakarta an age-friendly city, starting with accessibility, and development of a city activity centre and parks where senior citizens can meet each other and do physical exercise.

COSE Communication Planning Workshop
2014-09-10 08:00 - 2014-09-12 17:00 | Robbinsdale Hotel, Sta. Mesa, Manila, Philippines
Date: 10-12 September 2014
Venue: Robbinsdale Hotel, Sta. Mesa, Manila, Philippines
Philippine policy-makers have long recognized the predicament of the elderly as presented in the 1986 Constitution. Older people have been included in many laws and policies regarding health and social services, pensions and retirees benefits.
However, the growing numbers of older people in the country have created a need to develop a deeper understanding of the wider, societal implications of ageing. Livelihood, healthcare, human rights, are merely some of the challenges related to old age, which require careful consideration and evaluation.
The greater demand to implement policies and create new ones to promote the welfare of the elderly prompted the Coalition of Services of the Elderly (COSE), in cooperation with the Philippine Information Agency, to organize a communication planning workshop.
The communication plan will support all advocacy efforts on elderly issues, educate the public on the rights of the older people, and strengthen linkages and partnership among the various stakeholders.
As a result of the workshop, the participants will be able to come up with a strategic communication plan and subsequently develop appropriate messages in support of the various concerns and programs for older persons.

Regional Conference 2014 “Older People in Ageing Societies: Burden or Resource?”
2014-09-01 - 2014-09-04 | Convention Center, the Empress Hotel, Chiang Mai, Thailand, Thailand
Date: 1-4 September 2014
Venue: Convention Center, the Empress Hotel, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Every two years, the HelpAge Network of organisations working on ageing in the Asia/Pacific region and its key allies gather for a Regional Conference. The 2014 Regional Conference will be a multi-stakeholder learning event to share experience and develop common perspectives on the theme Older People in Ageing Societies: Burden or Resource?
Older people are often seen in terms of their needs and frailties, or even as a problem or burden for societies. This conference aims to stimulate discussion from the opposite perspective in order to bring greater balance in perceptions. The theme is important for the Network in reframing its arguments about ageing in a more positive light and is consistent with HelpAge’s approach (“age helps”). This theme is also important for China and other countries in Asia/Pacific as they consider how the increasing number of older people can contribute to national development. Finally, the conference comes at a time of changing directions in global development as the Millennium Development Goals come to an end and a new framework will take their place post-2015.
For registration and additional information, please contact jib@helpageasia.org.

Older people’s associations exchange visit in Thailand
2013-11-11 - 2013-11-13 | Ibis Style Hotel, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Older people’s associations exchange visit in Thailand
Date: 11-13 November 2013
Venue: Ibis Style Hotel, Chiang Mai, Thailand

ASEAN older people’s associations exchange event: older people met and reflected on ASEAN Declaration on Ageing
With support from the European Union (EU) and Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), HelpAge International organised a regional OPA Exchange visit in Chiang Mai Thailand on 24-26 November 2015.
Representatives of Older People’s Associations Federations from 5 ASEAN countries attended an OPA Exchange visit in Chiang Mai, Thailand to share and learn from each other’s experience of raising the voice of older people and to discuss the ASEAN Declaration on Ageing released at the 27th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on 18-22 November 2015.
22 representatives of Older People’s Association (OPA) from Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Myanmar attended this meeting. The event aims to promote wider recognition and support for OPAs, strengthen regional networking, and disseminate best practices and lessons learned.

Responding to the declaration, OPA federation leaders were concerned by the omission of social protection and social pension something that ASEAN has provisionally committed to.
“Social protection is recognized as one of the most effective tools in reducing poverty and inequality. Governments in ASEAN countries have made a commitment to improve social protection as demonstrated by the endorsement of the ASEAN Declaration on Strengthening Social Protection. Therefore, it is regrettable that social protection including social pensions is omitted from the Declaration. The older people’s representatives hope that social protection will be included in the regional action plan for the implementation of the Declaration,” said Usa Khiewrord, Regional Programme Manager, HelpAge International East Asia Pacific.
During the meeting, OPAs leaders recognised many of the positive points of the ASEAN Declaration on Ageing including a call for better data, its weaknesses including the lack of a specific mention of social protection and social pensions, and made recommendations for future actions, particularly in relation to the development of an action plan to support the Declaration’s implementation.
The first draft of the statement will be delivered and the formal statement will be announced at ASEAN OPO Meeting in Cambodia in 2016.

Older people’s associations (OPAs) are community-based organisations of older people, which aim to improve well-being of older people, their family and communities. There are over 1,700 older people’s organisations in the East Asia region and they are recognised by ASEAN leaders as an important tool for older people development.

Anniversary of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda)
2013-11-08
Anniversary of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda)

On Saturday 8 November we will mark the one-year anniversary of the typhoon that struck the central region of the Philippines on the morning of 8 November 2013. Typhoon Haiyan, locally known as Yolanda, was one of the strongest typhoons ever recorded, with wind speeds reaching up to 195 miles per hour. The damage caused by Typhoon Haiyan was extensive, affecting many of the islands of the central Philippines. Over 1 million homes were damaged or completely destroyed, more than 6,000 people lost their lives and over 4 million people were displaced.
A significant proportion of those affected by the typhoon were older people. Around 1.27 million, or 8% of the reported 16 million affected people were aged 60 years or over.
HelpAge International worked closely with the Coalition of the Services of the Elderly (COSE) to assess the level of damage and identify the immediate emergency support needs of the typhoon-impacted communities. Within days of the disaster, HelpAge International and COSE formed a joint response as HelpAge-COSE and began to provide essential relief support to people in the affected islands of Negros Occidental, North Cebu and West and East Leyte.
