Voici quelques nouvelles des actions que nous avons mene durant la periode du confinement a l'Ile Maurice.
1- Travail sur une coalition d’ONG autour de DIS MOI (Droits Humains Ocean Indien) pour reconnaitre la population des personnes agees par la commission humanitaire des nations unies – UN Humanitarian response plan for covid 19 fails to prioritise older people despite highest risk of death. The UN’s humanitarian response plan on covid 19 must be revised to better reflect the specific risks faced by older people caught up in humanitarian crises, Help Age International says.
DROITS HUMAINS OCEAN INDIEN
14.04.2020
The U.N Humanitarian Coordinator
and
U.N High Commissioner for Refugees
Country Representative
Port-Louis
Mauritius
Dear Sir/Madam,
We hope this mail finds you well, in what are quite uncertain times.
We, the representatives of the undermentioned organisations, are appreciative of the huge
humanitarian programmes the UN is undertaking in various countries of which 20 in Africa.
We are writing to highlight the anticipated impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on older people in
countries with high levels of existing humanitarian needs.
As you will know, the highest rates of serious illness and mortality globally have been reported for
older people and those with serious underlying conditions. In China and Italy, both countries with
well-resourced health and care systems, the age gradient in the mortality rates has been alarming.
Ninety-five percent of those who have died from COVID-19 in Europe were over 60, and more than
half of those were over 80. Meanwhile, older people already face well-documented, longstanding
challenges in accessing health services in both development and humanitarian settings. It is no
exaggeration to say that the consequences of COVID-19 outbreaks will be devastating for them and
their families and communities in the coming months.
We are keen to ensure that the Humanitarian Response Plan for countries concerned provides a
robust response to the risks faced by older people in this crisis, to avoid a catastrophic outcome for
many. As with any response, it is vital that activities are data driven, evidence based and targeted at
those most at risk. Given older people’s significant risk in terms of primary health needs, and
secondary humanitarian impacts, it is vital that they are front and center of any response. We strongly
encourage you to consider this in your planning and use your position to ensure leadership and
coordination on this issue among donors and the UN system.
We understand that national HPRs for COVID-19 are to be drawn up or updated in the coming weeks
to feed into an upgraded Global HRP and we would like to offer HelpAge’s full support to ensure that
the rights and needs of older people are well understood in the preparations of the HRP.
We were disappointed to see that the draft COVID-19 plan annexed to the Global Humanitarian
Response Plan launched on 25 March does not mention older people specifically in a list of ‘’most
affected and at risk ‘’ despite being the group with the highest primary needs in this crisis. This list
includes “ People suffering from chronic diseases, undernutrition including due to food insecurity,
lower immunity, certain disabilities and old age’’.
We have attached a briefing on our analysis of the Global Humanitarian Response Plan and some
concrete proposals for where we feel it should be strengthened. HelpAge’s CEO, Justin Derbyshire, has
been in contact with Mark Lowcock regarding our analysis of the Global Response Plan and we are in
touch with OCHA, UNHCR and IASC contacts in Geneva to support the process globally.
As a coalition of NGOs advocating for the rights of older people in Mauritius we would be delighted to
speak with you to discuss the risks and challenges to older people from COVID-19 further. If you
require any information please call us on Tel: 5794-7771
With best regards
Vijay Naraidoo
Secretary-General
Follow: List of NGOs forming part of the Coalition (dont le Groupement FIAPA Maurice)
UN Humanitarian Response Plan for COVID-19 fails to prioritise older people, despite highest risk of death
· Older people must be explicitly recognised as a population group “most-affected and at risk”
The UN’s Humanitarian Response Plan on COVID-19 must be revised to better reflect the specific risks faced by older people caught up in humanitarian crises, HelpAge International said today.
HelpAge International has delivered an analysis of the humanitarian plan to fight COVID-19 – launched by the UN Secretary General launched on 25 March along with a US$2.1 billion appeal – highlighting where the plan fails to deliver protection for older people at risk.
Older people have not been specifically included in a list of those ‘most affected and at-risk’ despite being the group with the highest primary needs in this crisis. This is a glaring omission given that donor and operational decisions will undoubtedly be driven by this list and could limit the humanitarian support made available to older people.
‘Old age’ is included at the end of a list of ‘conditions’ that people suffer from, increasing their risk.
“Older age is not a condition to be suffered and it is unacceptable to represent it in this way. It is unthinkable that they are not included explicitly, acknowledging both the immediate and long-term risks they are exposed to by the virus,” said Justin Derbyshire, Chief Executive at HelpAge International.
There are longstanding issues with older people being excluded in humanitarian response. If humanitarians are to fulfil their mandates and save lives, this has to change with the COVID-19 response.
“This is no time for business as usual. UN agencies, donors and humanitarian organisations need to put aside pre-existing plans and priorities and commit to providing life-saving assistance to those most at risk – which specifically includes older people for COVID-19 - in the spirit of the humanitarian principles that guide us all.
“We welcome OCHA’s commitment to revise the plan and urges members of the IASC to take our proposals on board. Through the UN global humanitarian plan, UNOCHA and the IASC need to provide the leadership and coordination to ensure that older people are fully included in COVID-19 responses,” said Justin Derbyshire.
COVID-19 presents specific risks for older people. Ninety five percent of those who have died from COVID-19 in Europe were over 60, and more than half of those were over 80. Initial research in China based on over 44,000 cases of Covid-19, showed a mortality rate of 2.3% for the general population, rising to 8% in those aged 70-79 and nearly 15% in those 80 and over.
HelpAge International is asking OCHA, members of the Inter Agency Standing Committee and the whole humanitarian community to stand in solidarity with older people and take concrete steps to strengthen the approach in the next iteration of the Humanitarian Response Plan.
This includes:
· Recognising older people explicitly alongside other population groups considered “most-affected and at risk”.
· Strengthening the humanitarian needs analysis acknowledging that older people face significant health risks, discrimination and longstanding, systematic barriers accessing humanitarian assistance.
· Strengthening implementation plans and guidance and monitoring framework to ensure that measures to reduce risk and respond to older people’s needs are implemented and monitored.
· Ensuring that older people are represented within national level coordination and prioritised within funding mechanisms.
For detailed analysis and recommendations, please read our briefing document on the COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan
2- FIAPA France
Texte Ages et confinement – Alertes (Conseil scientifique federation 3977 contre les maltraitances, commission age droits liberte (SFGGG), FIAPA, Association francophone des droits de l’homme) – sous coordination du texte par R. Moulias
Ce texte a inspire les reflexions qui ont permis ma participation aux evenements mediatises plus bas
a. Des fragilites accompagnent inegalement l’avancee en age
b. L’epidemie actuelle entraine un risque eleve chez d’autres populations
c. Le confinement protege efficacement, mais entraine des effets nocifs a tous les ages – surtout dans la vieillesse et la jeunesse, si elle dure
d. Il est plus efficace d’isoler le contaminateur possible
e. Il sera juridiquement difficile de justifier le confinement des uns, la libre circulation des autres
f. Il est ethiquement impossible de justifier le confinement indefini des uns, la libre circulation des autres
g. 3 alertes pour des protections efficaces dans la duree
3- Alzheimer disease international – participation au webinar du 22.4.20 – Supporting people with dementia, the covid 19 experience and advice from around the world
Proposition au centre d’accueil Alzheimer de reprendre la hotline via la secretaire pour maintenir le contact avec les membres et avoir une reponse des medecins et therapeutes aux situations de detresse ou pour les conseils aux familles.
Selon quelles modalites assurer le port du masque pour les patients ?
Comment respecter la distanciation sociale ?
Comment maintenir les modalites de communication avec les patients en maisons de retraite ou EHPAD ? whatsapp, facebook, instagram, telephone…
4- Ma participation a differents medias
a. Le journal defi seniors quotidien 21 avril 2020
Epidémie de covid-19 : comment prendre soin de nos aînés ?
Système immunitaire plus faible, maladies chroniques, les personnes âgées sont plus vulnérables face au risque d’infection du covid-19. Comment protéger nos aînés et comment les aider au mieux ? Nous avons posé la question à Pascale Dinan, gériatre et présidente du groupement FIAPA, qui nous donne quelques recommandations.
Dr Pascal Dinan.
Rester confiné
« Le confinement est une mesure importante pour protéger les couches les plus vulnérables de la population, notamment les seniors” explique la gériatre. Qu’elles habitent seules, avec leurs enfants ou qu’elles soient dans des maisons de retraite, les personnes âgées doivent absolument rester confinées et ne pas sortir pour aller faire leurs courses ou se rendre à la pharmacie », poursuit-elle.
Faire preuve de solidarité
En cette période de confinement, il est important de se soutenir et d’être solidaire. Famille, amis, ou volontaires doivent aider les personnes âgées. « Vous pouvez aider les personnes âgées en allant faire leurs courses, en achetant leurs médicaments ou même en leur proposant une écoute, surtout si elles vivent seules », précise Pascale Dinan.
En maison de retraite, ce sont les aides-soignants et tout le personnel qui sont à l’écoute des besoins de leurs pensionnaires. A Maurice, certaines maisons de retraite ont mis en place des systèmes de rotation du personnel où celui-ci reste confiné pendant plusieurs jours.
Continuer ses traitements
Beaucoup de seniors souffrent de maladies chroniques telles que le diabète ou l’hypertension. S’il est conseillé aux seniors de ne pas se rendre dans les pharmacies, elles doivent en revanche continuer impérativement leur traitement. Les proches peuvent aller récupérer ces médicaments sur présentation d’une prescription. Pour ceux qui n’ont pas de proches, sachez qu’il y a certaines pharmacies se proposent de livrer à domicile.
La gériatre recommande également à toutes les personnes atteintes de maladies chroniques ou de problèmes de santé de rester en contact avec leur médecin traitant.
Se faire vacciner contre la grippe
Le gouvernement a lancé depuis lundi 6 avril sa campagne annuelle de vaccination contre la grippe. Bien qu’elle arrive un peu plus tôt que l’année dernière, les seniors peuvent se faire vacciner en toute sécurité. Des caravanes mobiles sillonnent le pays pour permettre à tout un chacun de bénéficier du vaccin antigrippe sans avoir à se déplacer, ni à faire la queue.
· La campagne est suspendue temporairement pour le moment. Les vaccins sont en rupture de stock et la campagne sera relancée d’ici quelques jours.
Renforcer son système immunitaire
Avec l’arrivée de l’hiver, il est important de renforcer son système immunitaire. Pour cela, pensez à faire le plein de vitamines, à bien vous hydrater et entretenir une activité physique. « En cette période d’épidémie, le meilleur moyen de vous protéger est de rester chez vous », conclut Pascale Dinan.
b) Participation au programme de radio plus sur l’impact psychologique du confinement sur les populations vulnerables (seniors, autistes, sujets ayant des addictions)
c) participation au journal Defi Quotidien sur les risques d’accidents domestiques chez les seniors confines a domicile
Vous en souhaitant bonne reception,
Pascale Dinan.
Groupement FIAPA Maurice.