As the security situation in Eastern Ukraine deteriorates, older people—especially those with disabilities—are increasingly at risk. Escalating hostilities in regions such as Donetsk has forced mass evacuations, with older people among the most vulnerable. The challenges they face are far-reaching, from limited access to evacuation information, difficulty in making the journey to safety, to encountering inaccessible environments in new locations.
HelpAge, having worked on understanding the needs of older Ukrainians in conflict-affected regions since 2014, conducted a rapid needs assessment to identify the current gaps in the evacuation support. Using focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and telephone surveys, the assessment reveals alarming findings.
Rapid Assessment of Support for the Evacuation of Older People from Eastern Ukraine
Key Findings:
- Reluctance to evacuate: Many older Ukrainians are hesitant to leave their homes, emotionally attached to their belongings and fearful of starting over or facing unsatisfactory living conditions.
- Lack of information: 35% of older people reported they were unaware of available free evacuation services, resulting in chaotic and highly stressful evacuations.
- Financial barriers: 40% could not afford private transport, leaving them at risk of remaining in high-risk zones. Low pensions and limited savings mean that many older people evacuate with limited resources.
- Accessibility issues: A quarter of older evacuees with disabilities faced difficulties accessing specialized evacuation vehicles, critical for safe transport.
- Accommodation challenges: Older evacuees without family or friends to stay with often end up in overcrowded collective centers, where nearly half reported that the facilities are not properly adapted to their health and disability needs.
The assessment underscores significant gaps in evacuation support for older people, as well as an urgent need to address the longer-term needs of those recently displaced. While providing more comprehensive support may be complex and financially demanding, it is essential to ensure that older people, especially those with disabilities, are not left behind in Ukraine’s ongoing humanitarian crisis. Evacuation strategies must go beyond immediate transportation, encompassing safe, accessible, and dignified living conditions for those displaced.
War in Ukraine
Older people of Ukraine are in desperate need of humanitarian support.
As a result of the Russian invasion, the lives of millions of older people are at risk. They are in danger of being displaced by the conflict, denied access to essential services – like health or pensions – or forced to flee to neighbouring countries. Those unable to move are often abandoned in war-torn areas.
