Effect of the disasters on older people and their
communities
Indonesia: The survey’s and interviews indicate that the communities have come together to
support older people. Communities are comprised of people who are mostly related and/or
have lived together in the same area for more than 30 years. Where older people lived alone
before the earthquake neighbours stepped in after the disaster to provide temporary housing
and some food. In the communities where cash transfers were implemented some, if not all,
of the adult children of older people no longer lived in the community as they had moved away
for education or employment. Therefore it seems very unlikely that a large proportion of older
people will be able to rebuild their homes without outside support.