This month (6pm on Thursday 27th February at Jersey Arts Centre) Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA) will be hosting its first public event of 2025, alongside partners CBM UK – Global Disability Inclusion and Age International. At the discussion event, globally recognised disability experts, Matthew Hanning and Diana Hiscock, and JOA representatives, will discuss their work in international development and humanitarian aid as well as how Jersey extends support to some of the most marginalised populations in the world.
“Inclusive humanitarian aid and international development are not just moral imperatives—they are practical necessities for building resilient and equitable societies. By addressing the specific needs of older people and those with disabilities, we ensure that no one is left behind in times of crisis or on the path to sustainable development. True progress is measured by how we support and empower the most vulnerable among us,” said Chair of Jersey Overseas Aid and Minister for International Development, Deputy Carolyn Labey. “Thank you to Matthew and Diana for taking the time to share their own experiences and that of their highly respected organisations.”
People with disabilities and older individuals are disproportionally affected by poverty, conflict and the impacts of climate change. Their physical vulnerability, limited mobility and inadequate access to resources can leave them more exposed to harm in crises.
We live in an ageing world. By 2030, 1.4 billion people will be aged over 60, and this is expected to rise to 2.1 billion by 2050, according to Age International. While this presents challenges, it also provides enormous opportunities. Older people have much to offer to their families and communities, from providing care and financial assistance to sharing knowledge and expertise. Despite this, many older peoples’ basic needs are not being met and their human rights are overlooked. Older women, in particular, often spend their later years without adequate access to financial support, healthcare and social care, and their experiences and contributions remain invisible.
An estimated 1.3 billion people—16% of the world’s population—experience significant disability. According to the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), people with disabilities are two to four times more likely to die in natural disasters than those without disabilities, due to barriers in accessing early warnings, evacuation routes, and shelters. International Non-Governmental Organisation (INGO) Humanity & Inclusion reports that 75% of people with disabilities lack adequate access to basic assistance, including water, shelter, and healthcare, during emergencies. Furthermore, only 5% of humanitarian programmes explicitly target people with disabilities, and less than 1% of international funding is directed toward disability-inclusive programmes. UN Women also highlights that women and girls with disabilities face double discrimination—based on both gender and disability—often leading to even greater exclusion and vulnerability during crises.
These facts emphasise the urgent need for inclusive approaches to ensure humanitarian aid and development efforts reach and address the needs of older people and people with disabilities. The event is part of JOA’s Jersey International Development Network (JIDN) – a forum that provides an opportunity for islanders to learn more about overseas aid and how Jersey is making a difference on the international stage. At JIDN events current crises are discussed, the latest trends are debated, and islanders can hear from leading experts in the sector.
Tickets for the event, which takes place at Jersey Arts Centre at 6pm on Thursday 27th February, must be booked at: Inclusive Aid - Jersey Arts Centre. There is no charge for admission.
In addition to the public event, JOA will be hosting a roundtable event aimed at local charities, providing an opportunity for Jersey charities to engage directly with international inclusion experts and to share and learn from one another. The roundtable will take place at 12pm at PwC on Thursday 27th February. Charities interested in attending should register their interest by email: a.jackson@joa.je.