Why we must not forget older people and people with disabilities in Ukraine

Those are the words of Olga, a 71-year-old woman who lives just five kilometres from the “contact line”, in Luhansk province, in the government-controlled area (GCA) of Eastern Ukraine, speaking a week before Russia escalated its invasion of Ukraine. Her son, granddaughter and two great grandchildren live on the other side of the stretch of land, in the non-government-controlled area (NGCA). They are separated by ongoing fighting and various checkpoints, making visits difficult and dangerous. Olga lives alone and has difficulty walking because of pain in her legs and joints. She also has high blood pressure and often experiences severe headaches.

Olga is one of more than two million older people in Eastern Ukraine who are at severe risk as a result of the conflict.

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