Why Are older people health needs being forgotten during post disaster relief in developing countries? A health care provider survey of 2005 Kashmir, Pakistan earthquake

Background: Whilst older people may be recognized as a vulnerable group post natural disaster, their needs are rarely met by the providers of emergency services in practices. Studies about older people health needs post disasters in South East Asia Tsunami, Kashmir, Pakistan, China and USA had revealed the lack of concern for elderly.  This survey study examines the provider’s perception of older people vulnerability post natural disaster. It aims to understand the awareness of geriatric issues and issues related to current service provision/planning for older people health needs post disasters. Specifically, service delivery patterns would be compared among different relief agencies.
Methods: A cross-sectional, structured stakeholder interviews which was conducted within a 2 weeks period in February, 2006, 4 months post-earthquake in Pakistan-administrated Kashmir. Health/medical relief agencies of 3 different types of organizational nature: international non-government organization (INGO), national organization and local/community group participated in the study. Descriptive analysis was conducted.
Results: Whilst 93% of the responding agencies agreed that older people were vulnerable groups post disaster, none of them are providing geriatric related services during their relief effort. In addition, although international agencies were found to have more resources (human, drugs) to deal with geriatric needs, results indicated local and national NGOs had more age and gender sensitive relief services than INGOs.  Other important issues identified include the need to sensitize relief and health workers about older people health needs post disaster, the development of relevant clinical guidelines for chronic disease management post disaster in developing countries and the advocacy of building in geriatric related components in natural disaster medical relief programs.
Conclusion: In order to effectively address the vulnerability of older people, it is important for governments, relief agencies and local partners to include and address these issues during their relief operation and policy planning.