Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal

Help provide life-saving support to older people and their families.

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.

Age International in Ukraine

Age International deliver 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, Age International 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. Their 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 Age International 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 Age International are helping

As the crisis unfolds, Age International are continuing to assess the most urgent needs of older people.Age International are expanding their emergency relief programme so that aid can get 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