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On 2 February, Senator Nènel Cassis, of the Haitian Commission of Agriculture introduced a bill on "Social Security for Haitian Agricultural Communities" in the Senate.

The bill proposes the establishment of a new organisation called National Institute for Social Security in Rural Areas (INASOP) to identify people working in agriculture, livestock, fisheries and related sectors. All those identified will be offered free access to healthcare, while older people and other vulnerable groups will also be offered a pension.

By Rachel Trayner and Navdha Malhotra

Over three million people, including 200,000 older people were affected by the Haiti earthquake of 12 January 2010.

Since the earthquake, HelpAge has provided 25,000 older people and their families with food, cash, essential basic items, shelter and mobility aids. We have also distributed ToughStuff kits, which contain solar-powered radios and lamps.

By Caroline Graham

HelpAge is working to help at least 2,500 older people and their families affected by the floods in Thailand. The country’s worst flooding in half a century has caused widespread damage in approximately 60 provinces out of 76. Older people have been severely affected, mainly due to poor mobility and lack of money. Thousands are stranded in their homes without basic essentials such as food, water and medicine.

By Judith Escribano

Countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia have been affected by severe drought for many months.

So 100 days ago, in July 2011, our sister organisation Age UK and the UK-based Disasters Emergency Committee launched an appeal for the crisis. HelpAge receives money from these appeals to help older people affected.

In Ethiopia, we are providing food and cash to over 3,500 older people and their families (approximately 24,500 people) in Borana Zone and Dollo Ado.

Almost two weeks after the earthquake and subsequent tsunami that devastated the east coast of Japan on Friday 11 March, it is becoming clear just how badly older people were affected.

The estimated death toll from the disaster is currently 15,000. It is not yet clear how many of those were older people but given that almost 30% of Japan's population are over 60, the figure will be significant.

The oldest old are most at risk

Many older people have been participating in relief efforts and are trying to locate their own elderly relatives.