With 8.9 million people over 60 years old (24 per cent of the population) the war in Ukraine is the oldest humanitarian crisis in the world. And, despite humanitarian efforts, older Ukrainians face disproportionate barriers to accessing essential items and support, due to poverty and the limited accessibility of assistance, services, and information.
This report “I ve lost the life I knew” shows that older people s human rights are at risk as a result of the war in Ukraine, despite significant efforts to support them. This research finds that the experiences of older people during the war are diverse, and documents how specific sections of the older population face disproportionate risks. These include older women of all ages, older people over 70, and older people with disabilities.