COVID: Countries that have extended help to India to fight the second wave

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India's second wave of COVID-19 has been like a tsunami which the world has watched in horror. With over 2000 deaths daily, it is the worst crisis the country has seen, possibly since partition in 1947. But on the one hand is the virus wreaking havoc on lives, on the other is the tragic lack of oxygen and a failing health infrastructure. Universal vaccination has also become a challenge, which is perhaps the only weapon the country has in fighting COVID.

Some countries have come forward to help India in this fight. They are offering India oxygen, raw materials needed for vaccines, critical covid-related medical supplies, PPE kits, ventilators, oxygen generation equipment and also ensuring smoother transportation and storage of the same.

The first batches of high-capacity container shipments that landed in New Delhi were from Singapore, Saudi Arabia.

Germany

Apart from oxygen tankers which will be flown in by IAF transport planes from UAE and Singapore to augment oxygen supply, 23 mobile oxygen generation plants are to be airlifted from Germany for use in Armed Forces Medical Service hospitals with Covid patients. These oxygen-generating plants are expected to arrive in India within a week.

Each plant has a capacity to produce 40 litres of Oxygen per minute and 2,400 litres an hour. At this rate it can cater to 20-25 patients round the clock. The advantage of these plants is that they are easily portable. A total of 23 such plants are being imported as of now.

Pakistan

After Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed solidarity with India which is currently fighting COVID, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi also offered help to India in its fight against COVID-19. Besides helping with the medical equipment, Qureshi asserted the policy of 'Humanity First'.

Taking to the microblogging site Twitter, FM Qureshi wrote, "As a gesture of solidarity with the people of India in the wake of the current wave of COVID19, Pakistan has officially offered relief & support to India, including ventilators, Bi PAP, digital X ray machines, PPEs & other related items. We believe in a policy of Humanity First."

Pakistan-based humanitarian organisation Edhi Foundation has also offered to help Indian government. Edhi Foundation's chairman Faisal Edhi wrote a letter to PM Modi on Friday requesting permission to enter the country with a team of volunteers and 50 ambulances in order to assist in the pandemic management.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has sent 80 metric tonnes of liquid oxygen to India as the country is running low on supplies due to an unprecedented spike in coronavirus cases.
The supply shipment has been undertaken in cooperation with the Adani group and Linde company.

Singapore

Singapore's companies and foundations have also come forward to help. The first batch of medical supplies arrived in India on Sunday. 500 BiPAPs, 250 oxygen concentrators and other medical supplies were sent in partnership with Temasek.

"500 BiPAPs, 250 oxygen concentrators & other medical supplies from Singapore landed in Mumbai last night on @airindiain flight!", tweeted civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri.

United Kingdom

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that he was looking at what he could do to help and support the people of India.

"We're looking at what we can do to help and support the people of India," Johnson told British media.

The UK announced more than 600 pieces of medical equipment in the form of Covid-19 assistance to India. The first shipment is to arrive on Tuesday morning.

"We stand side by side with India as a friend & partner during what is a deeply concerning time in the fight against Covid-19," said Boris Johnson.

Canada

The Canadian government has reached out to India with an offer to help with PPE kits and ventilators.
Canada's Minister of Public Services and Procurement Anita Anand said Canada has communicated its willingness to assist India during these difficult times. She said, "We will stand ready with PPE (personal protective equipment) and ventilators and any items that might be useful for the Government of India."

Hong Kong

As many as 800 Oxygen Concentrators have been airlifted from Hong Kong to Delhi. 10,000 more will be dispatched in a week.

"India's private carriers are strengthening our efforts against the pandemic. @flyspicejet airlifts 800 oxygen concentrators from Hong Kong to India," tweeted Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.

Denmark

Maersk, a Danish shipping major, is transporting tanks, etc to India. They will be used for storing, transportation of oxygen. Maersk is assisting India through MEA.
Danish envoy to India Ambassador Freddy Svane told India Today, "In these difficult times we need to stand ready and cooperate with India. Danish shipping major @Maersk is working closely with India offering transportation etc."

Australia

Australia will send oxygen, ventilators and personal protective equipment to India as part of an immediate support package to the country which is battling with the latest surge of the COVID-19 cases, Health Minister Greg Hunt said on Monday. The federal government was in the process of considering what it could send to help, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation news channel quoted Hunt as saying.

'India is literally gasping for oxygen,' the federal health minister said. "And while we can assist with the national medical stockpile, their particular request is for assistance with regards to the physical supply of oxygen. That will be one of the things we are looking at, in particular with the states," the minister said.

France

France has plans to offer India "significant" extra oxygen capacity in the coming days to help the country cope with a record surge in Covid-19 infections, the French presidency said on Sunday.

Russia

Russia offered help to India in the wake of the Covid crisis. Sources say India could be looking at procuring oxygen concentrators and tanks from Moscow. Amidst an acute shortage of drugs, Moscow has also offered to supply the antiviral drug Remdesivir to New Delhi. Discussions are ongoing for supply of 3-4 lakh Remdesivir injections per week.

The United States

The United States announced on Sunday that it would supply raw materials for vaccine production. President Joe Biden also assured that assistance would be provided to India which is fighting a second wave of the pandemic.
Also, the US government has decided to lift the export ban on essential raw materials required by the vaccine manufacturer for production of COVID vaccines in India.