Sri Lanka’s growing aging population will receive improved focus by the United Nations (UN) as efforts are underway to further strengthen capacitated Senior Citizen Committees (SCCs) in the Southern province.

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Sri Lanka announced that it will further increase its assistance offered to the aging population of the southern province through the provisions of essential equipment so that it is ensured that the needs and wellbeing of older persons are not overlooked in situations of emergencies. 

The UNFPA Sri Lanka earlier this year entered into a partnership with HelpAge Sri Lanka to enhance meaningful inclusions of older persons in disaster preparedness. The program that is financed via the UNFPA Emergency Fund focuses on building the capacity of SCC in Galle and Matara.

The objective is to better design age-responsive integrated disaster response plans factoring in the health needs of the communities, and gender-based violence that could occur during emergencies.

Sri Lanka has the fastest growing aging population in South Asia, with one in five Sri Lankans expected to be over the age of 60 by 2030, with the majority being women.