Older people in Ukraine call for peace and protection

In 2014, more than four million people in Ukraine, a disproportionate number of them older, were directly affected by military conflict in the east of the country. We, Age International, have been working there since to meet the needs of those older people affected and helped to rebuild their lives through our partner HelpAge International.

Today in the United Kingdom, we learn about the onset of a second conflict in Ukraine. And already at least 100,000 people, including many older people, have been displaced from Eastern Ukraine in recent days. We are monitoring the situation closely, and working with our colleagues in Ukraine to understand what this crisis means for older people in the country and our continued work to support them.

Our colleague from HelpAge International, our partner in Ukraine, told us:

"HelpAge International has been working in Ukraine since the conflict began, providing support to older people in the east of the country. There are 17 HelpAge staff in Ukraine, most of whom are in the east. Almost all the locations where HelpAge operates are within the five-kilometre demarcation line in Ukrainian government-controlled territory. Some communities are located on the very line of contact.

Our work is supported by 33 project assistants from the communities and 230 volunteers who provide ongoing support to the 4,800 older people living in the area.

Our volunteers make home visits at least twice a month and are in constant contact by phone. They provide hygiene kits, including protective equipment against COVID-19, to the older people that they support as well as canes, walkers, crutches, and diapers, depending on the individual’s personal needs. They also supply them with information brochures on how to protect themselves from COVID-19.

When an exchange of fire took place on the line of contact on 17 February – something that has not happened for a long time – several civilians were wounded. The blast blew out the windows in the house of one of our volunteers. 

We had to interrupt the visits of HelpAge’s volunteers for several days so that they would not be harmed. But our staff and volunteers remain constantly in touch with older people, talking to them on the phone and trying to support and reassure them. 

Fortunately, we managed a distribution of most of our aid supplies before the shelling and have a stockpile set aside in case the conflict escalates. We have already determined how many people we can reach in the event of war and are looking for additional funding.

Everyone hopes for a diplomatic solution to the conflict. But we have informed all of our volunteers and staff what to do in case of an emergency, where to go and what to pack.

The authorities do not provide instructions for older people on what to do in case war breaks out. Maybe this is right, so as not to frighten already frightened people. Older people are tired and scared. Each aggravation of the conflict has a bad effect on their health, both physical and mental.

Talking to older people, we see that each has their own problems and complaints, hopes and aspirations. But all want one thing – peace, and to see their children and grandchildren from whom they have been separated for so long.”