Pensioners Face Difficulties in Eastern Ukraine Due to Conflict

Pensioners are one of the most vulnerable people living in Donbas. The elderly tend to be more emotionally attached to their hometown, their neighbourhood and their house, and despite the risks, they often prefer to stay there, even if it means living in occupied territories.

Since armed conflict divided Eastern Ukraine back in 2014, almost 1.3 million pensioners have found themselves caught in the middle. They live in territory not controlled by the government, but they depend on state institutions for their hard-earned retirement pensions. However, government offices do not operate in occupied areas. To get their pensions, the elderly are forced repeatedly to make a difficult, costly and dangerous journey across the contact line.

The challenges for them to go to goverment offices to get their pensions are massive. There is a constant worry of shelling, landmines and long lines outside the offices in freezing temperatures. Many are too frail or even isolated to go through the checkpoint set up by the Ukrainian army.

Since the war started, nearly 800,000 people have been unable to access their own retirement funds.

The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, provides heated tents at the checkpoint and assistance to all those in the middle of the conflict.