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Conference reaches consensus on calling for universal non-contributory pensions |
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Thursday, 16 October 2008 |
The 12th Regional Conference organised by HelpAge International in association with ECLAC has had as its theme, ‘Aging, Social Pensions and Disaster Risk Reduction.’
Fifty participants from 10 countries across the region are, by consensus, calling on Caribbean Governments to introduce universal non-contributory pensions for older people and to pay greater attention to the special needs of older people in disaster planning and management. Mr Jeff James, the Regional Representative of HelpAge International, based in Jamaica said,
“We believe that a universal non contributory pension should replace the existing public assistance means tested programmes for the following reasons:
1. Means tested programmes are complicated and difficult to administer
2. The administrative costs are very high
3. They lead to stigmatisation of poor people
4. They are open to political manipulation
5. Universal non contributory pension help to restore dignity to older people
6. And leads to a greater contribution to the community economy
7. Cash transfer can and do make a significant contribution to household well being”
There are high levels of poverty among older people and relatively small numbers of older persons are covered under existing pensions. There is also evidence that children who live in household s where an older person is in receipt of a social pension, benefit from better nutrition and educational attainment.
The Conference also spent two days discussing Disaster Risk Reduction.
Some of the issues of concern were:
1. The disproportionate number of older people who die as a result of natural disasters as evidenced in Grenada and other countries,
2. the discrimination of older people in disaster relief and rehabilitation efforts
3. The particular health needs and lack of mobility amongst some older people which require special attention.
4. The role that older people can and do play in disaster preparedness and mitigation efforts demand that older peoples’ issues are fully integrated into national disaster planning and implementation.
5. The participants have spent a considerable amount of time in assessing the hazards and capacities in their organisations and have committed themselves to developing and strengthening community mechanisms to support Disaster Risk Reduction efforts.
-ENDS-
1. The Regional Meeting was organised by HelpAge International in partnership with the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)
2. HAI Regional Meeting in Partnership with ECLAC took place from Oct 6th – Oct 10th 2008, at the Barbados Beach Club in Maxwell, Christchurch, Barbados.
3. The theme of the conference was“ Ageing, Social Protection and Disaster Risk Reduction”
4. Population studies show older people are among the poorest in society due to lack of income, poor health, poor housing and isolation and this also increases their vulnerability during disasters.
5. The countries from which representatives will be invited are: Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Montserrat.
HelpAge International (HAI) is an International Non-Governmental Organisation with 25 years of worldwide experience of mainstreaming ageing issues across development programmes and policies. HAI is a global network of 70 affiliates, working in over 50 countries, which promotes older people as agents of change, supports their empowerment and their right to equality of access to services and development opportunities, and works to end age based discrimination and reduce poverty.
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Regional News 
