Coronavirus second wave has crippled India as citizens gasp for oxygen and beds, losing life just outside hospitals. Daily Covid cases in the country are increasing at an alarming rate, amid this global help in the form of oxygen supplies, ventilators, raw material for vaccines, PPE kits and oxygen concentrators have started pouring in.
The United States on Sunday has agreed to send essential raw materials to India required for manufacturing Coronavirus vaccines.
United States
In a telephonic conversation with Ajit Doval, the US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan had offered to send resources to the Serum Institute of India (SII) to increase the production of the Covishield vaccine.
Earlier, the US had refused to supply raw materials to the Pune-based manufacturer as President Joe Biden said vaccinating American first is the country’s priority. After making repeated requests to lift the ban on the export of raw materials, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also took up the issue during his recent talks with his US counterpart Antony Blinken.
United Kingdom
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Sunday that "600 pieces of vital medical equipment, including hundreds of oxygen concentrators and ventilators, is being supplied to India to support efforts to prevent the tragic loss of life from this terrible virus." Shipment is expected to reach India by Tuesday. Johnson in a statement said, "We stand side by side with India as a friend and partner during what is a deeply concerning time in the fight against Covid-19.”
Pledging that the UK will do "all it can" to help India fight the soaring pandemic and added that the UK government is working closely with the Government of India to identify further assistance it can provide in the coming days.
France
France has also volunteered to offer a significant amount of respiratory equipment to India in the coming days to assist the country to handle the COVID-19 crisis, including ventilators, the office of French President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday. The French president has also sent a message of solidarity to India facing a resurgence of COVID-19 cases.
"France is with you in this struggle, which spares no one. We stand ready to provide our support," the President assured.
Germany
Lending support to India amid the declining health system, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Sunday that her government was preparing emergency aid for India as the country fights with a devastating surge in COVID-19 cases.
"To the people of India, I want to express my sympathy for 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.
EU
Showing support to India, the European Commission stimulated its EU Civil Protection Mechanism and is attempting to supply oxygen and medicine to India after receiving a request from New Delhi.
On Sunday, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Twitter wrote, "Alarmed by the epidemiological situation in India. We are ready to support.”
"The EU executive is already coordinating with EU countries that are ready to provide urgently needed oxygen and medicine rapidly," European Commission for humanitarian aid Janez Lenarcic wrote on Twitter.
Australia & Pakistan
Earlier, expressing solidarity with India, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan had offered to support the country fighting the coronavirus crisis.
China
China too has extended help to India. Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Zhao Lijian said, "We have noticed the relevant reports and China expresses sincere condolences to the recent deterioration of the situation in India. The Chinese government and the Chinese people firmly support the Indian government and people in fighting the pandemic, and are willing to provide support and assistance by the needs of the Indian side."
The Chinese government is in touch with India on this and believes that the Indian people will overcome the pandemic soon, he added.
Ireland
Former Irish PM Leo Varadkar, whose medico father Ashok Varadkar comes from India has reminded fellow Irish citizens and the EU about the large number of Indians who work in the medical services sector in those areas and asked the need to help India at this time of crisis.
Russia
Special planes with a wide range of COVID-related aid including oxygen generators and concentrators as well as drugs needed for the treatment of COVID-19 are being sent by Russia. Oxygen generating equipment for various purposes, ranging from use in individual homes to nursing homes and hospitals, as well as pharma supplies of drugs like Favipiravir, used to treat milder versions of COVID-19 is also on its way.
Also Read: “Devastated”: Satya Nadella & Sundar Pichai Vouch To Help India in fight against COVID
Afghanistan
Afghan foreign minister Mohammed Haneef Atmar said India has the prayers and support of all those nations that it has served generously with COVID-19 vaccines. "Our hearts & prayers go to all the great people of India at this time of national struggle against Covid-19. India has the prayers and support of all those nations that it has assisted generously with COVID vaccines. India will come out of it even stronger," he said.
Not only international support but even tech giant firms like Google and Microsoft have stepped in helping India by providing relief. CEO of Google and Alphabet, Sundar Pichai tweeted, "Devastated to see the worsening Covid crisis in India. Google & Googlers are providing ₹135 Crore in funding to @GiveIndia, @UNICEF for medical supplies, orgs supporting high-risk communities, and grants to help spread critical information."