Humanitarian Emergency Response Review

Age UK and HelpAge International response to the Humanitarian Emergency Response Review (HERR) Report

Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director at Age UK, said:

'We warmly welcome DFID's response to the HERR Report and its new strategy for humanitarian and emergency relief.

'The extra funding allocated by DFID to emergency relief work will save lives and Age UK agrees with DFID's position that the needs of vulnerable people should be given extra focus in times of emergency.

'However we are disappointed that older people do not feature as a named priority group for DFID's work and would like to see a greater emphasis on their needs from DFID.

'Research from our sister organisation HelpAge International shows that only 0.2% of emergency response projects funded through UN appeals respond to older people's particular needs. This is a situation that fails to recognise the humanitarian needs of older people as well as their rights and contributions.'

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Notes to editors

Age UK
For media enquiries relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland please contact the appropriate national office: Age Scotland on 0131 668 8055, Age Cymru on 029 2043 1562 and Age NI on 028 9024 5729.

Age UK is the new force combining Age Concern and Help the Aged, dedicated to improving later life.

We provide free information, advice and support to over five million people; commercial products and services to over one million customers; and research and campaign on the issues that matter to people in later life. Our work focuses on five key areas: money matters, health and well being, home and care, work and training and leisure and lifestyle. We work with our national partners, Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI (together the Age UK Family), our local Age UK partners in England and local Age Concerns. We also work internationally for people in later life as a member of the DEC and with our sister charity Help Age International.

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and company number 6825798). Age Concern England and Help the Aged (both registered charities), and their trading and other associated companies merged on the 1st April 2009. Together they have formed the Age UK Group ("we"). Charitable services are offered through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity's trading companies, which donate their net profits to Age UK (the Charity).

HelpAge International
Age UK and HelpAge International work in partnership to support older people in over 40 developing countries (through long-term development and short-term emergency relief programmes)

Media contact: Vicky Smith
Telephone: 020 3033 1438
Out-of-office-hours: 07071 243 243