The determinants of African elderly migrants and access to tap water in South Africa

Abstract

Elderly migrants frequently have to navigate momentous physical, social and economic hurdles when accessing clean piped water, hygiene services and sanitation, making them on the whole an extremely vulnerable group. Their challenges are often disregarded in overall humanitarian responses, which tend to put emphasis more on younger populations. Hitherto, not much literature exists regarding elderly African migrants and their quest for equality and dignity in acquiring life-saving services including water for household use. Hence, this study used quantitative approach to measure water access by sociodemographic, migratory, and geographical background characteristics of elderly migrants from African countries.