“Stop Abusing Older People,” Ban Ki-Moon

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By Seyi Oduyela

Published: October 2, 2009

“Stop Abusing Older People,” Ban Ki-Moon

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for an end to discrimination, abuse, neglect and violence against the elderly, in a message to mark the International Day of Older Persons yesterday. Activists across 43 countries were due to march on 1 October to call attention to the plight of older people, as part of a campaign launched by HelpAge International. Around 26 million people over 60 years old are affected every year by natural disasters, according to the Red Cross. Violent conflicts affect millions of others, as older people are often seen as a burden and are therefore left behind by fleeing communities. Older people are the fastest growing age group and will represent 20 per cent of the world’s population by 2050, according to UN estimates.

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