“We’ve lost everything. But one day, we will return home.” These words are most often heard in conversations with senior Ukrainians who have been suffering from the Russian invasion since February 2022.
Senior Ukrainians’ life stories and journeys may vary, yet they are all bound by a stark new reality. Instead of enjoying time with grandchildren and nurturing their gardens, older people are forced to hide from missiles attacks or search for shelter as their homes have burned down.
Russia’s war against Ukraine has pushed millions of the country's residents to the brink of survival. While this war has already demonstrated that for missiles heading for your city don’t make a distinction about your age or how you make a living, older people are amongst the most vulnerable.
As HelpAge International reports, a staggering 25% of the population in Ukraine is aged 60 and above, and the urgent need for humanitarian aid and support is undeniable.
Older people in Ukraine often face mobility challenges and have limited resources. Therefore, they require immediate assistance such as access to shelter, medical care, and other necessities.
This is why since the hostilities began in 2014, the EU and its humanitarian partners have been working tirelessly to provide emergency aid to the most affected areas in Ukraine.
These programmes include distributing food, clean water, and medical supplies and setting up temporary shelters to provide a safe haven for those displaced by the war.
In partnership with the Italian NGO Intersos, the EU supports Ukrainians from war-affected regions with protection programming which ranges from providing essential household items to legal consultations and support.
