Global Aid Pouring in as COVID-19 Second Wave hits India

NEW DELHI:

Covid Medical Supplies Support to India: Assistance from international organisations and countries kept coming to India that has been grappling with the second wave of COVID-19. Some of such generous organisations, countries and groups include Google, Microsoft and countries like Germany, EU ETC.

Google on Monday announced Rs 135 crore ($18 million) to help get urgent medical supplies, including oxygen and testing equipments, for India.

The donation includes two grants from Google.org, Google's philanthropic arm, totaling Rs 20 crore.

"The first is to GiveIndia to provide cash assistance to families hit hardest by the crisis to help with their everyday expenses. The second will go to UNICEF to help get urgent medical supplies, including oxygen and testing equipment, to where it's needed most in India," said Sanjay Gupta, Country Head and VP, India.

It also includes donations from Google's ongoing employee giving campaign e so far more than 900 Googlers have contributed Rs 3.7 crore for organizations supporting high-risk and marginalized communities.

Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai tweeted: "Devastated to see the worsening Covid crisis in India. Google & Googlers are providing Rs 135 crore in funding to @GiveIndia,@UNICEF for medical supplies, orgs supporting high-risk communities, and grants to help spread critical information".

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said on Monday that the company is mobilizing its resources to help the COVID-ravaged nation that saw 352,991 fresh infections, taking the cumulative caseload to 17,313,163.

In a tweet, Nadella said that he is grateful the US government is mobilizing to help.

In a break from the 'America First' policy, President Joe Biden's administration is "working round the clock" to immediately send India raw material needed for making Covishield and other products needed in the fight against the COVID-19 surge overtaking the nation, according to National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.

The US will also send India anti-COVID supplies like test kits, ventilators, medications and personal protective equipment used by frontline workers.

The US is also deploying an expert team of public health advisors from the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and USAID to work with the embassy in Delhi, India's Health Ministry, and India's Epidemic Intelligence Service.

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Sunday that her government was preparing emergency aid for India as the country grapples with a devastating surge in coronavirus infections.

"To the people of India I want to express my sympathy on the terrible suffering that COVID-19 has again brought over your communities," Merkel said in a message shared on Twitter by her spokesman Steffen Seibert.

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said she was alarmed by the situation in India.

"The EU is pooling resources to respond rapidly to India's request for assistance," von der Leyen said on Twitter.

In another development, Amazon on Sunday announced to donate 10,000 oxygen concentrators and BiPAP machines to hospitals and public institutions to augment their capacity to help COVID-19 infected patients across multiple cities in India.

The first of these consignments was set to land in Mumbai on Sunday and a majority of the shipping is expected to be completed by April 30.

Amazon will bear the cost of airlifting these oxygen concentrators and BiPAP machines, procured through multiple funders including ACT Grants and PPCR from Singapore to India through Air India and other international carriers.

Official sources told IANS that embassies are seeking empty, refillable Oxygen cylinders with 10 litres and 45 litres Liquid Medical Oxygen capacity; Oxygen concentrators; in situ Oxygen manufacturing plants for hospitals; and Remdesivir from the European countries. (Agencies)

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