Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) One and Older Persons' Disaster Preparedness in Kenya: A Conceptual Framework

Abstract

‘Ending poverty in all its forms everywhere' is the current United Nations clarion call priority number one. The general appeal to carry everyone on board in the quest to end poverty and empower all human populations regardless of age, gender, economic or social status means that older persons must also be given an important space in this debate. Yet, this group still remains largely isolated, especially on the face of disasters such as floods. For example, following the current heavy rains in Kenya which have led to a lot of human suffering as a result of devastating floods, no special attention appears to be given to older persons. Despite the media highlights of the daunting effects of the floods, nothing has been featured specifically on older persons notwithstanding this group's high susceptibility to these consequences. Tied to this is the bigger problem of poverty as the floods cause untold suffering to the people including sweeping away crops in the farms and destroying other household possessions. As the floods leave a trail of destructions, older persons-headed households are dealt bigger blows both in the short and long runs. This paper is a conceptual framework on the disaster preparedness of older people in the context of poverty among senior citizens in Kenya. The paper narrows down to issues related to floods in the country, and is guided by the following research questions: how do older persons respond to floods in Kenya? What kind of assistance do older persons faced with floods in Kenya receive from family and friends? What humanitarian assistance is there for older persons faced with floods in Kenya? The paper gives a critical analysis of how these questions are addressed with the aim of giving older floods victims a sense of hope in the short-term and help them deal with poverty and hunger in the long-run. As much as older persons seek for and expect assistance from individuals and organizations to deal with the effects of floods, they do not usually receive the help. Not even humanitarian organizations give them first priority. Post-industrial dynamics where their adult children stay away in cities or elsewhere has led older persons to stay in loneliness hence increasing their psychological suffering. Conversely, they are left with grandchildren to care for due to migrations or deaths of the middle generation. The end result is chronic poverty hence giving them very little chance to be prepared for the effects of floods or any other disasters. Despite several dynamics jeopardizing older persons' lives especially during floods and other forms of disaster, there are still chances that family and friends as well as humanitarian organizations could help them cope during and after emergencies. Yet, this still remains untenable especially given the country's weaker policies on older persons and ageing, failing to give a clear roadmap on how to assist senior citizens during disasters. They end up being treated like everybody else despite their disadvantaged situations and their unique needs that call for special attention. This study gives several recommendations on how to address poverty and hunger among older persons, especially to those faced with floods and other disasters. Professionals, disaster handlers and all stakeholders must be guided by certain principles for maximum effect. These include: giving quick assistance with recovery of material possessions, paying special attention to suitable housing relocations, and insurance service providers having service policies targeting older persons and age-related ailments. Disaster management staff should also be trained on how to empathize with older disaster victims and give them proper guidance. Efforts should also be made to guarantee them access to food distribution points while at the same time humanitarian aid agencies ensuring that older disaster victims' nutritional requirements are met in terms of micronutrient content, palatability, and digestibility. Older flood victims should also be prioritized for health checks at the evacuation or reception centres. Where necessary, there should be facilitation for their access to age-friendly mobile clinics, including having consultation rooms at ground floors or where the rooms are accessible through ramps. In addition, the services should be free or subsidized and good quality drugs be availed, especially those for chronic diseases to guarantee continuity of treatment.