Survey to determine the state of preparedness for the winter season of PwD and OP

Поширити:

The winter season is approaching quickly, and while elderly people and persons with disabilities have been living in the harsh conditions of a full-scale war for eight months, their basic needs and human rights are at risk of being neglected and violated.

The recent brutal attacks on critical infrastructure facilities, including power plants and substations in eight regions of Ukraine, including Kyiv, indicate an alarming forecast that this winter will be challenging for the affected areas, especially for vulnerable groups residing there. With winter temperatures predicted to drop as low as -20 degrees Celsius in some parts of the country and remain at that level, millions of people living in inadequate conditions, without proper insulation or access to heating, will be severely impacted.

Amid the lack of updated information regarding the specific needs of elderly people and persons with disabilities, the Age and Disability Technical Working Group (ADTWG), with the technical expertise and support of the National Assembly of People with Disabilities of Ukraine (NAPD) and HelpAge International, advocated for the idea of amplifying the voices of elderly people and persons with disabilities as experts of their own needs. This approach strengthens their rights and safeguards their dignity as humanitarian agencies develop and implement plans to address the challenges of this winter.

The target group included elderly people and persons with disabilities living in their own homes, who plan to spend the winter season there and therefore need to prepare their homes for the cold season. The assessment did not collect data from individuals residing in collective centers.

The survey was conducted through in-person meetings or phone calls using a Google form during September 2022, covering 2,978 respondents across Ukraine. The respondents included two categories: elderly people (60+) and persons with disabilities. Volunteers and social workers from HelpAge accessed beneficiaries of ongoing projects, while NAPD members and partner organizations provided information on persons with disabilities.

Key Findings:

Prioritizing Cash Assistance: 72% of respondents indicated that cash assistance would be the most effective way to meet their basic needs in preparing for winter.
Other Essential Needs: Respondents reported needing medicines (62%), food (58%), and hygiene products (53%).
Winter-Specific Support: Items like thermal blankets, winter clothing, heating appliances, firewood, and solid fuel were highlighted as critical needs by 22% to 45% of respondents.

The persistent threat of attacks on civilian infrastructure further increases risks for elderly people and persons with disabilities in the coming winter months. Alternative heating solutions and humanitarian assistance should be provided in consultation with organizations representing persons with disabilities and elderly people, as well as the communities of these target groups.