CURRENT SITUATION
Addressing the needs of older persons is a cross-cutting responsibility of all humanitarian actors. The situation in Ukraine differs from other humanitarian contexts in its high number of older persons (60+) affected by the conflict and in need of assistance. Prior to the crisis of 2014 older persons accounted for 9,330,430 million, of which 65% were women and 35% men (22% of total population). A challenge is that post conflict statistics of displaced and affected population are not appropriately disaggregated by age. The Ukraine Multi-Sector Needs Assessment (ACAPS) shows that in areas of active fighting, including the “grey zone” near the contact line, persons with disability (see *separate Protection Cluster guidance note on disabilities) are considered the most vulnerable followed by older people and people affected by noncommunicable diseases. Some older persons are affected by all these factors.
The main purpose of this note is to raise awareness of the protection challenges for older persons in Ukraine and set out the criticality for authorities, humanitarian actors and donors to:
- take proactive steps to address the assistance and protection needs of older persons
- ensure that interventions are inclusive and accessible for older persons
- advocate for funding to allow a targeted approach towards older persons
- target older persons as a vulnerable group in the 2016 Humanitarian Response Plan