Mohammad, 72, refused to leave his home during the war. While rockets lit up the skies above his house, he chose to stay, clinging to the only place that felt like his own. His story reveals not just personal resilience but also the harsh realities older people endure during times of crisis.
“I wanted to stay,” he says. “I used to go up to the roof and watch the rockets fly over. I never thought of leaving.”
While his wife and son fled north to stay with friends, a journey that took them almost a full day, Mohammad remained behind. Though divorced, they still live together. For two months, he braved the solitude of war.
“I have heart problems,” he explains. “The Red Cross used to send me medication, but they couldn’t during the war. Thank God for Amel Association; they managed to get me the medicines I needed.”
Amel Association wasn’t just a lifeline for medication. They also delivered meals daily, while neighbours, those who remained, checked on him when they could. But Mohammad feels let down by the very institutions meant to protect him.
“I wish the government had helped us. No one looked at us. No one asked about us. No one offered us shelter, even when the war ended. Only Amel cared.”
This lack of support is not unique to Mohammad. In crises, older people often find themselves overlooked; their needs deprioritised. Many struggle with mobility issues, chronic illnesses, or disabilities that make evacuating or accessing aid far more difficult. Health services, vital medications, and even basic necessities like food and water often become inaccessible, leaving older people particularly at risk.
To make ends meet, Mohammad borrowed money from his neighbours. His voice carries a quiet plea when he says, “I hope God sends us someone to look after us. I don’t want to see war again in my lifetime. I just want to live in peace and see my son live in peace as well.”
Mohammad’s story is one of strength but also a stark reminder of the gaps in support systems during times of crisis. His words echo the experience of so many older people caught in the crossfire.
This story was made possible thanks to the support of HelpAge partner/network member Amel Association International, a non-sectarian Lebanese humanitarian NGO. Together with HelpAge, they are working to deliver urgent humanitarian assistance to older people in Gaza.