Blog: How can we support older people in Ukraine?
How can we support older people in Ukraine?
The more we read and watch the news, the more we want to do to help all the vulnerable people in Ukraine being attacked. Seeing older people in the media cross dangerous, improvised paths under destroyed bridges and being transported in wheelbarrows to flee their war-torn towns, has left us all in shock that this is happening in 2022. The conflict in Ukraine is disproportionately affecting older people and children and many need emergency aid right now. Our sister charity, Age International, are raising funds to help provide life-saving support to older people and their families in Ukraine and those reaching surrounding countries.
Read our blog to find out how they are supporting older people in Ukraine and how you can help too.
How is the conflict in Ukraine affecting older people and why do older people need our support?
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 people left behind, the situation is particularly dangerous. Older people are extremely vulnerable in conflict situations as they are often unable to flee the violence, they may have mobility problems, be housebound, or they may be reluctant to leave familiar surroundings. Where there is aid and support available, they are often unable to access it or it’s not tailored to their specific needs. Sadly, many older people have specific nutritional, cultural and health needs that are often forgotten or ignored by a general relief distribution.
Research carried out by Age International 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
What is Age International doing to help older people in Ukraine?
Age International is 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.
The charity is working with four local partners in Ukraine, and in neighbouring countries, to provide multi-purpose cash payments, emergency food and water kits, medical, hygiene and dignity kits and support in response to trauma that so many older people and their families will be experiencing.
For those older people who are housebound or have mobility issues or who are fearful of leaving their homes, food packs and kits will be distributed by staff and volunteers as long as it is safe to do so. These will be tailored to the specific needs of older people.
They are also setting up a mental health support ‘hotline’ phone number that will be shared with older people and their families. They have a long history of providing mental health first aid and support in Ukraine and will continue to do so to help people cope with the trauma they will have experienced.
Currently, they 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.
As the crisis unfolds, Age International are continuing to assess the most urgent needs of older people. They are expanding their emergency relief programme so that they 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
What can I do to help?
We understand that people want to help in the best way possible. The best way to support older people and their families affected by the conflict is through monetary donations. As much as charities appreciate the kind offers of donating items, cash donations are best to help people in a humanitarian crisis.
A donation of money will go much further, and supports many more people, as it will be used by us to purchase supplies such as blankets, clothing and food locally, often cheaper than in the UK and which helps the local economy. It is also more cost efficient for them to purchase supplies locally than to transport them across Europe. Money raised will also be distributed in the form of cash assistance to older people and their families. This helps to ensure that they are able to buy exactly what they need.
By donating you will be helping older people, and their families who have been affected by the conflict in desperate need of basic essential items, such as food, hygiene kits and clean water.
As with any project that Age International carries out through local partners, they will ensure that there are robust due diligence processes in place to make sure that the money is being used as intended and is being spent effectively.
Donate today
Time is critical, and we must act fast to save as many lives as possible. Please help provide life-saving support to older people and their families today by donating here. If you have any questions or would prefer to donate by telephone, please do not hesitate to call 0800 032 0699.
