By Alex Garvey | Communications Manager
Ukraine has the largest number of older people affected by conflict anywhere in the world—25% of the population. Many of them remain in or near conflict zones due to disability, poverty, or lack of opportunity. As a result, they are often left to navigate the devastating conditions without reliable access to electricity, clean water, food, medications, or connection with family. The war has had a significant impact on older people, and—whether they flee or remain—they are at risk of violence, hunger, and neglect. Since February 2022, HelpAge has supported more than 140,000 people in Ukraine working with 51 local organizations.
Palliative Care
As the conflict in Ukraine continues, older people with serious illnesses have been left especially at-risk. Many of them face not only the hardships of displacement and war but also the challenges of managing chronic and life-threatening conditions. With a grant from GlobalGiving, we carried out a project to impact the lives of older Ukrainians—particularly those who are isolated, have disabilities, or are facing serious illness. By providing palliative care training and services, we not only responded to the immediate needs of older Ukrainians but came together to help build a more compassionate and inclusive humanitarian response.
Community Safe Spaces
In the heart of Ukraine, HelpAge USA is making a profound impact through four Community Safe Spaces, which supported more than 8,094 older people in 2024. These safe havens offer displaced older Ukrainians a place to connect with others, take classes, exercise, access health care, receive mental health services, and so much more. They also have opportunities to get to know their new communities, through guided tours introducing them to local services or trips to learn about local history, culture, and society. From improving digital literacy to providing much-needed psychosocial support, generous donors like you have helped make a tangible difference for older Ukrainians when they needed it most.
But perhaps 61-year-old Galyna says it best:
“I felt forgotten and helpless. But when the HelpAge team came, they brought me everything I needed—medicine, care, and even a special mattress that helped with my bedsores.”
Links:
Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.
Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.
Start a Fundraiser
