Guidance on including older people in emergency shelter programmes: a summary

This doucment is a summary covering duidance on including older people in emergency shelter programmes.Shelter is a basic human right for people of all ages, but for older people, the sense of security and comfort that a home provides is particularly important. Losing their home in a disaster or conflict therefore has a profound psychological impact, particularly on the “oldest old” (people above 80 years). Suitable housing for older people is crucial to ensure a dignified life. When managing a shelter programme, it is essential to identify and address the needs of vulnerable older people and engage them in decision-making, in order for age-appropriate decisions to be taken. Yet various studies have pointed to a lack of attention to older people in shelter programmes.