India’s COVID-19 crisis: How you can donate and help from Australia
The COVID-19 crisis in India has reached emergency levels. Here's what you need to know and where you can donate to help.
India is currently recording upwards of 400,000 cases of COVID-19 per day in what is being called the worst coronavirus outbreak in the world. This is putting an enormous strain on India's healthcare system which is unable to cope with the surge in cases.
Hospitals are understaffed for an outbreak of this scale and are short on critical supplies like ventilators, oxygen and antiviral drugs. Medical professionals are desperately trying to procure more of these essentials but this is proving challenging.
In the list below we have collated a number of organisations and charities that are working hard to support India's healthcare system as it navigates the current crisis. Donations to these organisations can help to save lives in this critical moment.
Note: Finder receives no fee, commission or any remuneration for these donations for any clicks or money raised. At Finder we believe in helping those in need and would like to do our part to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in India.
How you can donate
Medical Oxygen for All (MOfA)
Set up in response to the COVID-19 crisis in India, Medical Oxygen for All (MOfA) is an organisation working on sourcing medical-grade oxygen concentrators and other oxygen equipment from across the world and shipping these to India. Although MOfA is not a registered charity due to its fast set-up, the organisation is backed by some of Australia's leading tech companies. Canva, AirTasker and Finder have all committed donations to MOfA as part of the Aussie Tech for India initiative.
Direct Relief India
Direct Relief is a humanitarian aid organisation which is active in more than 80 countries, with a mission to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies. Direct Relief has committed $5 million to mobilise medical-grade oxygen for India and is also preparing shipments of supplies like oxygen concentrators, power adaptors, face masks and other medical support for delivery to India.
GiveIndia
GiveIndia launched its India COVID Response Fund-1 in April 2020 and has just launched its second round of funding in response to the most recent outbreak. The organisation collects funds to support healthcare infrastructure, boost oxygen supply by setting up oxygen-generation plants, provide and refill oxygen concentrators and provide life-saving equipment like BiPAPs and ventilators. GiveIndia is also providing cash relief to low-income families who have lost a family member to COVID-19.
UNICEF
UNICEF is the United Nations Children's Fund, a leading global humanitarian agency that works to uphold the rights of every child which now operates in more than 190 countries and territories. UNICEF is offering support to health centres by delivering oxygen-generation plants to hospitals to treat severe and critical COVID-19 cases, providing testing machines in some of the most-affected districts and supporting the ongoing distribution of COVID-19 vaccinations.
World Vision
World Vision is a global humanitarian movement that has provided short- and long-term assistance to more than 100 million people worldwide. As part of its global pandemic response, World Vision is providing funding for more beds, oxygen machines and medical supplies in hospitals in some of the worst-hit districts in India.
CARE
CARE has been working in India for more than 70 years and as such its close relationships with the local governments have helped to ensure its response saves as many lives as possible. CARE is currently working with the Indian government to set up temporary hospitals with supplies of much-needed equipment like oxygen, medical staff, medication and PPE kits.
International Medical Corps
The International Medical Corps (IMC) works to relieve the suffering of those affected by conflict, disaster and disease by delivering vital healthcare services and training to the affected areas. The IMC is currently working with partners on the ground in India to determine critical needs, including gaps in services and supplies to help provide medical care for those in need of treatment and to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
OXFAM
OXFAM is part of a global movement of people working together to eliminate poverty and tackle inequality. It is currently on the ground in India helping hospitals get oxygen tanks and other medical equipment, distributing essential hygiene equipment, providing emergency food and cash assistance to households, upgrading water and sanitation systems at refugee camps and health facilities and continuing training and awareness-raising activities.
Desai Foundation
The Desai Foundation employs 120 women in a sewing program which is currently producing and distributing hand-sewn face masks. So far, it has distributed over 100,000 face masks in villages located in Vasda, Bharuch, Navsari, Bardoli and Valsad.
