Purpose

Vietnam is one of the countries in the world most vulnerable to natural disasters. The country suffers from many disasters including floods, storms, tropical depressions, droughts and forest fires. This video looks at the challenges older people face in disasters.

Overview

• In any disaster older people are among the most vulnerable. Many old people develop chronic illnesses such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and dementia. Many become disabled and dependent on help, and others become poorer and more isolated. These factors lessen the chance of survival for older people during disasters.
• It is, however, not right to think of older people only as victims of disaster, they can also be resources. They are resourceful for their long experience, influence on decision-making and control of economic assets. Their knowledge of the pattern of disasters, traditional survival systems, appropriate technologies, and alternative medicines can be vital to the development of community coping strategies in and after crises.
• The Red Cross tries to address the needs of older people in disasters in its Community Based Disaster Risk Management programme (CBDRM). It does this by involving them in all stages of the programme, from analysis to implementation. Involving them has led to positive changes in attitude, knowledge and practices of the community and leaders.

Usage: Guidance for project implementation, Training

Audiences: Technical staff; Volunteers

YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhJgQ_wOOko

Note: The video is in Vietnamese subtitled in English

Reference: Netherland Red Cross Veitnam (20 December 2011). Older People and Disaster Risk Management. Duration 12.17 minutes [Online]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhJgQ_wOOko [Accessed: 22nd July 2016].