The experiences of older persons with disabilities in humanitarian crises in Eastern Ukraine and Western Tanzania

BACKGROUND: Many older persons (≥ 60 years) with disabilities are affected by humanitarian crises, globally and this is likely to increase. Older persons with disabilities may be disproportionately affected in humanitarian crises because of factors at the intersection of age and disability however, there is limited research examining their experiences or access to daily and humanitarian support needs in these contexts. There is a need for a better understanding of the lived experiences of older persons with disabilities in humanitarian settings to inform humanitarian response. AIMS: The overall aim of this DrPH research is to better understand the experiences of older persons with disabilities in humanitarian crises to inform evidence-based recommendations and strategies for humanitarian response. METHODS: 1) A systematic review was conducted to examine the available evidence on older persons with disabilities; 2) Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 21 older persons with disabilities (11 Females; 10 Males) and 11 family members or caretakers living in Nduta and Mtendeli refugee camps in Tanzania and 31 older persons with disabilities (17 Females; 14 Males) and 5 family members or caretakers living in government-controlled areas (GCA) of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine. A thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. FINDINGS: The analysis identified a range of factors that shape the experiences of older persons with disabilities in the two contexts associated with environmental (physical and social), personal factors and agency. CONCLUSIONS: Older persons with disabilities have unique experiences, barriers and facilitators in humanitarian crises which are shaped by their intersectionality. In addition to environmental factors, personal factors and agency; dominant humanitarian framing, structures and decision-making influence their experiences, challenges and dependency.