Older people are disproportionately affected
Due to the recent conflict in Ukraine, more than half a million people have been forced to flee their homes in search of safety. For the older people left behind, the situation is particularly dangerous. Time is critical, and we must act fast to save as many lives as possible.
"The shelling is what worries me the most. What if they hit the house, and blast the windows, roof, doors out? Who will help me?" – Ekaterina, 70
Age International in Ukraine
We are uniquely placed to deliver an emergency response to this crisis. Over recent years, Age International has been working in Ukraine to support older people affected by the conflict in 2014 with life-saving essentials such as food medicines and mental health support.
Currently, we have over 200 staff and volunteers from local communities working in Ukraine, mostly in the east of the country. To date, this team has been providing ongoing support to almost 5,000 older people in the region. Our most pressing priority at this time is to keep our staff and volunteers safe, despite living under constant fire during the current conflict themselves.
The impact on Ukraine's older people
Research carried out by our colleagues in Ukraine highlights the particular risks older people will face as the conflict escalates:
- Difficulties escaping or avoiding fighting – often due to mobility problems, or living alone
- Increased isolation which can result in people experiencing conflict-related mental health issues
- Severe income shortages, meaning older people not having enough money to buy food or heat their homes. Most rely on a pension, which will be disrupted if they cannot access payment points
- Difficulty accessing healthcare, which for chronic conditions, such as dementia, diabetes or coronary heart disease, must be specialised
- Lack of support and adequate living conditions for those with disabilities, such as assistive devices, including walking frames, canes and toilet chairs
How we are helping
As the crisis unfolds, we are continuing to assess the most urgent needs of older people. We are expanding our emergency relief programme so that we can get aid to those who need it most – in Ukraine and to those who have been able to flee to neighbouring countries.
The programme will help older people and their families with life-saving essentials such as:
- Specially tailored food packages to help feed themselves and their families
- Hygiene kits to help people keep clean and stay safe from diseases
- Cash assistance so that older people can buy the essentials that they need
- Mental health support and counselling
- Clean water and hygiene facilities
Myths about older people in emergencies
- The extended family and community will always protect them. Many older people are not with their families; community members will likely be affected themselves and will be unable to help.
- Other organisations will look after them. There are no United Nations agencies and very few international non-governmental organisations dedicated to older people.
- They will be covered by general aid distributions. Many emergency programmes use an ‘one size fits all’ approach. Older people have particular nutritional, cultural and health needs that are often forgotten or ignored by a general relief distribution.
Get in touch
If you have any questions or would prefer to donate by telephone, please do not hesitate to call our friendly helpline on 0800 032 0699.
Thank you.
Age International is raising money together with the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) for the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. The DEC is a consortium of 15 aid member charities working together in times of disasters and emergencies. For more information on the DEC and our fellow member agencies please visit the DEC website. Any income not spent after twelve months past the end of the appeal may be allocated to another emergency situation that requires our support.
