Regional Focus: East and Central Africa

The pandemic has exposed ageism like never before. Older people have been separated and isolated, portrayed as weak and helpless and, their rights have been ignored. This has taken a toll on their health and wellbeing, and older people now risk facing more violence, abuse and neglect than before the pandemic. Despite the impact of the pandemic on older people, data gaps and other obstacles continue to exclude older people, and block effective responses and future planning. In this media dialogue, representatives from World Health Organization (WHO) and HelpAge International will discuss the impact COVID-19 has had on older people in East and Southern Africa, and what their organizations are doing to help.