Resource Integrated Centre (RIC)
Location: Bangladesh
Spokesperson: Fatema
About the project
The Resource Integrated Centre (RIC) was established in 1989 and has been working in partnership with Help the Aged since 1999. The project focusses on providing basic necessities, such as food, shelter, clothing, and promoting income generation programmes that help older people become more self reliant.
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Who it helps
The project works in small village communities where it carefully selects those older people who are most in need. It aims to improve the standard of living for older people, regardless of their caste, creed or race.
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How it helps
The project works to address the immediate needs of the older men and women in terms of food, clothing, shelter and other basic provisions, including spectacles and walking sticks. Carers at the Organisation also provide practical advice, support, companionship and where necessary, medical attention through health camps.
The organisation aims to help the community become more self-reliant. To achieve this objective, they are involved with income generation schemes. Such schemes drive the older community by teaching crafts and new developing skills. This active participation provides both a small income and a measure of independence
In addition, a small percentage of funding is allocated for entertainment and recreational pursuits for the older community, including visits to places of historical and religious interest.
The RIC is also a key player in helping older people during disaster emergencies. They were instrumental after the 2007 Cyclone that devastated parts of Bangladesh; providing older people with immediate emergency aid and now helping to rebuild the communities affected.
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Project spokesperson
Name: Fatema
Date of birth: 1943
Fatema was born in 1943 in Pirojpur, south-western Bangladesh. She is married but did not have any children. The couple live in a small, one-roomed house made from bamboo and dry leaves. Her husband is suffering from a chronic illness and relies on his wife for support. Fatema has no relatives near by to offer her any support.
Despite her poor health, general weakness and poor vision, Fatema is still able to perform most daily tasks including cooking and cleaning. She also earns a small income from rearing goats to support both herself and her husband. To feed the animals she collects grass and leaves every day.
Fatema is a popular, well-respected lady in the village and is always willing to lend a hand to others. When she is not caring for her husband or attending to the housework. she enjoys socialising with her friends.
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Country information
Country: Bangladesh
Size: 144,000 sq km
Population: 144.3 million
Capital: Dhaka (Dacca)
Climate: Most of Bangladesh is situated on deltas of large rivers flowing from the Himalayas. As a low-lying country, it is very open to flooding and cyclones. The climate is tropical and governed by monsoon winds, which bring very heavy rainfall and storms through the summer, flooding around a third of the country. The short winter is mild and relatively dry.
Language: Bengali (also known as Bangla)
Religion: The majority are Muslim (83%) with a minority of Hindus (16%).
Literacy: The literacy rate is very low for the whole population (54% for men, 32% for women) but for older people it drops to 30% for older men and 5% for older women. Compared to a UK literacy rate of 99%, this puts all older people, particularly women, at a huge disadvantage.
Older people in Bangladesh
Bangladesh has the third highest number of poor older people in the world, after India and China. In 2006, 6% (8.3 million) of the population was aged 60 or over and this figure is predicted to rise to 20% by 2050. Most older people live in the poorer, rural areas.
Discrimination against women is widespread in Bangladesh. The majority of older women are widowed, which counts against them in a culture where a woman’s marital status is of primary importance to her survival and well-being.
The Bangladesh government awards an old-age allowance to the ten poorest older people in a ward who are aged 57 and above, whose annual income does not exceed 3,000 taka (about £26). An estimated 50% of rural older people are eligible but the government allocation is only enough for 12% of those, which means many are missing out on their entitlements and are consequently very vulnerable.
Poverty
Poverty is deep and widespread, with almost half the population living in poverty and one third considered to be extremely poor. Many people lack the fundamental requirements of a decent life, such as basic health, education, economic opportunity and dignity, often living at the limits of survival. Despite the old-age allowance, an estimated 3.3 million older people still live below the national poverty line, and this includes almost all female-headed households. Older women own fewer assets and have less control over family income and endure more chronic disease and disability than their male counterparts. Women are more likely to begin and end life in poverty, have chronic health problems, and face exclusion and low status throughout their life.
High unemployment causes many younger people to migrate overseas which erodes the traditional family support system, leaving older people even more vulnerable.
Health
Bangladeshis have a life expectancy of just 62 for both men and women. During their lifetimes, they are at risk from a number of infectious diseases including dengue fever and malaria which are highly prevalent. Hepatitis A and E, typhoid and diarrhoea are also rife and can be fatal.
Lack of access to safe water and adequate sanitation facilities contribute to the poor nutrition and health status of older people. A whole lifetime of poverty greatly limits access to medicine and care, which almost inevitably leads to poor health. Public health initiatives have primarily focussed on the younger population and there is a general disregard for the nutritional needs of older people.
Disaster
Bangladesh is at the mercy of natural hazards such as droughts, cyclones and much of the country is routinely inundated during the summer monsoon season. This increases the vulnerability of older people, who can be given low priority in times of emergency.
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