Sunday Times 2
UNFPA-HelpAge partnership for vulnerable ageing population
View(s):The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and HelpAge Sri Lanka (HASL) recently signed an agreement to strengthen the livelihoods of senior citizens and other vulnerable population in Sri Lanka.
The objective of the agreement was to strengthen disaster preparedness in elderly citizens and the building capacities of countrywide Senior Citizen Committees (SCC) in vulnerable areas prone to natural disasters.
HelpAge Sri Lanka, one of the oldest social organisations in the country, has been at the forefront of creating a safer environment for Sri Lankan elders since 1986 and it has implemented number of projects island-wide to make them more resilient.
At the signing event, HelpAge Sri Lanka, Chairman Tilak de Zoysa said HelpAge was established with the objective of improving the health and social wellbeing of less-privileged senior citizens of Sri Lanka.
“Our flagship programme is to perform cataract surgeries on underprivileged elderly citizens free of charge at HelpAge Eye Hospital, Sinsapa Road, Wellawatte, Colombo 6 (Opposite Savoy Cinema),” he said.
Pointing out that Sri Lanka has the fastest growing ageing population in South Asia, Mr de Zoysa said predictions had revealed that by 2030, one in five Sri Lankans would be over the age of 60 with the majority being women.
“Considering these challenges, the country must be prepared for emergencies,” he said, adding that Sri Lanka had been experiencing the impact of the climate change and adverse weather condition in the past two decades, affecting a large number of people.
UNFPA Representative Ritsu Nacken said, “With a firm commitment, the UNFPA is pleased to partner with HelpAge to strengthen efforts to ensure the needs and voices of older persons and other vulnerable populations throughout their recovery efforts.”
UNFPA representative Ritsu Nackenn and HelpAge Chairman de Zoysa are seen with the signed partnership agreement.