Help through food deliveries, mobile medical care and psychosocial support
Vienna (OTS) – Within a year, the number of people in Ukraine in need of humanitarian assistance has increased from 3 million to almost 18 million. The situation has deteriorated – especially in the east – and local help is still urgently needed. Older people are particularly affected, currently every fourth person in Ukraine is over 60 years old.
Older people, however, are often overlooked as those in need of help. They need special support due to restricted mobility, the increased need for medical care and difficulties, such as carrying loads or waiting at distribution points.
Often they either have no way of escaping or find it difficult to find new accommodation that is appropriate for their age. State institutions are largely overburdened. This forces them to remain in their homes – often without electricity, gas or water. Isolation and limited access to basic necessities such as food, hygiene items and medicine mean that their situation is often life-threatening.
Help through food deliveries, mobile medical care and psychosocial support
Within the framework of NACHBAR IN NOT, several aid organizations have aid projects in Ukraine and neighboring countries that focus on supporting older people.
For people who cannot come to the distribution points for food and hygiene products due to the security situation or their restricted mobility, the Caritas launched a delivery service to bring essentials to the most vulnerable groups.
As part of a Winter Relief Project were renovated and adapted by Caritas to create safe, dignified and age-appropriate accommodation. From the Austrian Red Cross, Malteser International and Volkshilfe households were equipped with stoves for heating and cooking or small generators and relief items such as blankets were distributed.
Medical emergency services, mobile health care and mobile care are an important focus for the special needs of older people. The medical infrastructure in Ukraine was extensively destroyed. Access to health and social services is severely hampered due to security issues, restricted mobility, disrupted supply chains and shortages of medical staff. As part of NEIGHBOR IN NOT, the Austrian Red Cross operates in cooperation with the Ukrainian Red Cross a mobile hospital, mobile clinics and offers consultations, treatments, medicines and transport to health centers with ambulances and diagnostic vehicles.
For often lonely and chronically ill internally displaced persons, not only medical care is offered within the framework of mobile home care and support, but also warm meals and psychosocial support.
The disruption of screening and screening leads to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer, requiring additional medical equipment and medication. The people’s aid has 2022 for this Oncology Hospital supported in western Ukraine.
help is still urgently needed
The help by NEIGHBOR IN NOT continues following more than a year and will still need staying power. The situation in Ukraine is coming to a head in many regions, including for older people.
Andreas Knapp, General Secretary of Caritas Austria for Foreign Aid and Chairman of the Board of the NACHBAR IN NOT Foundation: “Many older people are left behind in Ukraine without their families. They urgently need food and medicine, but above all social and psychological support. Let’s not let the people of Ukraine down now and let’s show that they are not alone in their misery
.“
Michael Opriesnig, Secretary General of the Red Cross and board member of NEIGHBOR IN NOT still sees a great need for help: “Only recently I was able to get a personal impression of the current situation in Ukraine. I have seen the challenges faced by older people locally and the importance of giving them access to treatments and medicines. The situation in the country is getting worse due to the ongoing conflict and our neighbors are still urgently dependent on our help. Help that is only possible thanks to the support of numerous people in Austria. I would also like to thank you in advance for every single donation that shows that the people of Ukraine can continue to count on their neighbors in Austria
.”
ORF Director General Mag. Roland Weißmann: “The people of Ukraine still need our full support. Older people in particular are badly affected by the war, for example due to restricted mobility or increased medical needs. NEIGHBOR IN NOT tries to help in the best possible way even in these difficult situations with well thought-out aid campaigns. This help is made possible, among other things, by the donations of the people in Austria, for whose active willingness to donate I would like to thank you. A big thank you also goes to the aid organizations, whose tireless commitment continues. The ORF will continue to do its part to support NEIGHBORS IN NOT and draw attention to the relief campaign in all its media and state studios
.“
Pius Strobl, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility and thus ORF Head of NEIGHBOR IN NOT: “The older generation in Ukraine belongs to the most vulnerable group. They are often unable to leave the country due to their physical condition. However, many people over the age of 60 also want to protect their houses and apartments so that they can offer their families a home when they return home. They stand for support and preservation of the family unit. In order to protect them and encourage them, they urgently need the necessary medical and psychological help, which NEIGHBOR IN NOT can offer quickly and unbureaucratically through the income from donations
.“
Donation options:
NEIGHBOR IN NEED – Help for Ukraine
IBAN: AT21 2011 1400 4004 4003
BIC: GIBAATWWXXX
Request online donations or a payment slip:
http://nachbarinnot.ORF.at
All information also in ORF TELETEXT 681
Questions & contact:
Claudia Gasteiger
Communication NEIGHBOR IN NEED
T 0664 787 869 50
and claudia.gasteiger@roteskreuz.at
