Senior Care & Protection
At United Nationals Countryless Children (UNCC), we believe that every older person deserves to age with dignity, safety, respect and compassion, regardless of displacement, disability, poverty or family circumstances.
Our Senior Care & Protection Program provides community-based humanitarian assistance to vulnerable older refugees and members of host communities, particularly those aged 65 years and above who are living alone, experiencing disability, managing chronic health conditions or lacking reliable family and caregiver support.
Through compassionate home visits, essential healthcare referrals, psychosocial support, disability assistance and community engagement, UNCC works to reduce isolation, prevent neglect and strengthen the wellbeing of older people affected by displacement and humanitarian hardship.
Our approach recognises that older refugees are not simply recipients of assistance. They are valued members of society whose knowledge, experiences and contributions deserve recognition, protection and respect.
Our Key Areas of Support
1. Home-Based Senior Care and Wellbeing
UNCC volunteers conduct community and household visits to identify vulnerable seniors, assess their immediate needs and provide practical assistance.
Our activities include:
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Home visits and regular wellbeing checks.
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Assistance with household cleaning and personal hygiene.
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Support with access to safe drinking water and essential household supplies.
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Food assistance for seniors facing severe hardship.
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Medication reminders in accordance with appropriate care instructions.
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Identification and referral of urgent protection or healthcare concerns.
Senior Health and Medical Support
We support older refugees who face barriers to accessing essential healthcare, particularly those living with chronic illness, reduced mobility or limited financial resources.
Our interventions include facilitating access to medical assessments, blood pressure monitoring, physiotherapy, eye health services, medication support and referrals to qualified healthcare professionals.
Through the development of the UNCC SeniorCare Pharmacy initiative, we aim to strengthen access to essential medicines for eligible vulnerable seniors, subject to the required regulatory approvals and professional oversight.
Disability Inclusion and Mobility Assistance
Older persons with disabilities often experience additional challenges accessing healthcare, sanitation, food distribution and community services.
UNCC promotes disability inclusion through mobility assistance, provision of available assistive devices, accessible referrals and community-based support.
Our goal is to ensure that disability does not result in abandonment, exclusion or loss of dignity.
Mental Health and Psychosocial Wellbeing
Displacement, bereavement, isolation and prolonged humanitarian hardship can significantly affect the emotional wellbeing of older refugees.
Our programme promotes compassionate listening, social interaction, community inclusion and referral pathways for seniors experiencing emotional distress or mental health concerns.
We also encourage intergenerational relationships that connect older people with younger community members and volunteers.
Senior Protection and Safeguarding
UNCC works to identify and respond appropriately to protection concerns affecting older persons, including neglect, exploitation, discrimination, abandonment and barriers to essential services.
We engage with community leaders, refugee welfare structures and relevant humanitarian authorities to promote safer and more inclusive environments.
All protection activities are guided by respect, confidentiality, informed consent and the dignity of the individuals we serve.
Social Inclusion and Community Participation
Older refugees should remain connected to their communities and have opportunities to participate in decisions affecting their lives.
Through community gatherings, intergenerational activities, volunteer engagement and the UNCC Seniors Voice FM initiative, we promote the voices, experiences and contributions of older people.
where we work
Our Senior Care & Protection activities focus particularly on refugee settlements and surrounding host communities in Uganda's West Nile region, including:
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Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement
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Imvepi Refugee Settlement
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Eden Settlement and surrounding communities
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Arua and Terego districts