BUJUMBURA October 1st (ABP) – The Minister of National Solidarity, Social Affairs, Human Rights and Gender, Mrs. Imelde Sabushimike, released a statement on Tuesday, September 29, on the occasion of the celebration of the International Day of Older Persons, 2020 edition, under the theme: “The protection of older persons before, during and after COVID-19”.
That day, which is celebrated on October 1st of each year, has to be celebrated in Gihanga commune of Bubanza province (north-west of Burundi). The chosen national sub-theme is “All together, let’s combine our efforts to support the elderly”.
Mrs. Sabushimike said the government of Burundi has taken measures to protect the elderly. That involves for instance the signing of partnership agreements with centers and associations working in favor of the elderly, with the scope, the granting of annual subsidies, medical assistance to vulnerable elderly people, as well as the visit and distribution of food and non-food items to those centers and associations working in favor of the elderly.
In addition, the President of the Republic has just announced new measures to further support the elderly, in particular through the subsidy of health care, but also the opportunity to revise upwards the old age pension, Minister Sabushimike said. She also pointed out that a strategy for implementing the national social protection policy adopted since 2012 is already in place, as is the Social Protection Support Fund, which pays particular attention to the vulnerable groups in general and the elderly in particular.