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The recent floods caused by the DANA* in Spain have tragically impacted numerous communities, including many older people. While recognising the need to address the adverse impact of climate emergencies on older people, AGE members remind us that older people are not just victims but active and crucial contributors to prevention and post-crisis recovery.
*DANA, short for Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos (Isolated High-Altitude Depression), is a meteorological phenomenon also referred to as Gota Fría in Spanish.
Here are the main ideas shared by AGE Spanish Members, CEOMA (Confederación Española de Organizaciones de Mayores), FATEC (Federació d’Associacions de Gent Gran de Catalunya), Fundación Pilares, and the PMP (Plataforma de Mayores y Pensionistas):
1. Older persons tend to be excluded, isolated and left behind when facing natural disasters and related emergencies
- Almost half of the people who lost their lives during the DANA floods were over 70 years old, with 7% being over 90, despite this age group making up only 1% of the population. The article by Maite Pozo highlights how older people are disproportionately affected due to mobility issues, health conditions, and ageism, which often results in their needs being overlooked during emergencies.
- CEOMA highlighted the significant toll on older people in care homes, with fatalities and mass evacuations demonstrating the disproportionate impact of extreme climate events on this population.
The susceptibility of older persons to disasters is often the result of the limited social, financial and community support available to them, especially to those groups of older people facing structural and institutional inequalities due to the intersection of age with socioeconomic status, gender, ethnic origin, disability and other forms of exclusion. Despite these challenges, older people often display remarkable resilience, supporting emotional recovery in their communities.
Older people are disproportionately affected due to mobility issues, health conditions, and ageism, which often results in their needs being overlooked during emergencies. (…) Despite these challenges, older people often display remarkable resilience, supporting emotional recovery in their communities.
2. Intergenerational Solidarity as a Key to Recovery
- Fundación Pilares emphasized the importance of intergenerational collaboration in overcoming crises. According to the foundation, by bringing together young and older people in the reconstruction process, solutions are not only accelerated, but social bonds are also strengthened, enabling the community to emerge with greater resilience and cohesion.
Intergenerational solidarity goes beyond mere economic or material support. It represents a reciprocal exchange of experiences, knowledge, and values that fosters empathy and mutual understanding. This connection between young and older people not only reduces prejudice but also allows both generations to contribute their strengths: innovation, energy, wisdom, and perspective. This partnership accelerates recovery efforts while reinforcing community bonds.
By bringing together young and older people in the reconstruction process, solutions are not only accelerated, but social bonds are also strengthened, enabling the community to emerge with greater resilience and cohesion.
3. Older People as Active Contributors in Recovery Efforts
- FATEC highlights the essential contributions of older people to volunteer initiatives, where they provide practical assistance and emotional support. They actively volunteer, offer emotional support, and enrich recovery dynamics with their knowledge and experience.
- In areas like l’Horta Sud, older people have played practical roles in recovery initiatives, inspiring younger generations with their resilience and determination.
Older people have played practical roles in recovery initiatives, inspiring younger generations with their resilience and determination.
4. Inclusive and Climate-Resilient Infrastructure is Critical
- PMP, aligned with the WHO report “The UN Decade of Healthy Ageing 2021-2030 in a Climate-changing World ” calls for the coordination of efforts between institutions and civil society to guarantee the dignified care and health of older people affected by the DANA.
5. Concrete Actions and Mobilization
- Organisations such as HelpAge España and CERMI Communidad Valenciana have mobilised resources to provide essential services, such as access to medication and psychological support, particularly for isolated or older people in need of support.
AGE joins its Spanish members in extending its heartfelt condolences to the people affected by the DANA floods. We also reiterate the conclusions of the UN Independent Expert report on the rights of older persons during climate induced-emergencies, which recognises the need for effective laws and policies to mitigate harm and provide protection from the many risks that older persons are exposed to in the face of climate change.
Older persons must be given meaningful opportunities to participate in all facets of disaster preparedness, response and recovery. They should be consulted and involved in the gathering of data and the development of relevant law and policy frameworks, as well as related decision-making processes. The Independent Expert notes that, based on their knowledge and experience, older persons should have an important role to play in building capacity for climate adaptation and mitigation and disaster risk reduction.
By recognising older people’s active roles in rebuilding communities and fostering intergenerational solidarity, we can create more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient societies.
Useful links
- AGE Positions on Climate Change: impact of climate change on the rights of older persons
- Report of the United Nations “Human rights of older persons in the context of climate change-induced disasters”
- Report of the United Nations “Summary of the panel discussion on the human rights of older persons in the context of climate change”
- Equinet work on equality and climate change: Preliminary assessment of the EU Green Deal’s impact on equality. Survey of current practices and needs of European Equality Bodies
