Over 40 countries — including major powers like the US, Russia and France — have vowed to provide India with crucial Covid relief material over the next few weeks.
As a recent surge in coronavirus cases continues to ravage India and batter its healthcare system, countries around the world have stepped in to support the Indian government in its battle against the Covid pandemic. Over 40 countries — including major powers like the US, Russia and France — have vowed to provide India with crucial Covid relief material over the next few weeks.
While the United Kingdom has already started sending ventilators and oxygen concentrators, the US has lifted a ban on the export of raw materials, which will help India produce more Covishield vaccines.
On Saturday, coronavirus cases in India hit a record daily high with over 4 lakh new infections being reported in the last 24 hours. With hospitals across the country running short of beds and potentially life-saving medical equipment, the country is now leaning on foreign nations for gifts, donations and aid to combat the crisis.
Here is a look at the countries that have started sending relief material to India.
The United States
The United States has vowed to send supplies worth more than $100 million to assist India in its fight against the Covid pandemic. The third shipment of emergency relief material was dispatched from the US on Saturday, and several more are expected over the next week.
On Friday, India received its first package of Covid aid material from the US. A Super Galaxy military transporter aircraft carrying over 400 oxygen cylinders, 960,000 rapid diagnostic tests, 100,000 N95 masks, and other crucial medical equipment landed at New Delhi International Airport this morning, AFP reported.
Russia
Two Russian flights carrying oxygen concentrators, ventilators, medicines and other essential medical equipment landed in India earlier this week.
“The Russian Federation decided to send humanitarian assistance to India in the spirit of the special and privileged strategic partnership between our two countries as well as in the context of our anti #COVID19 cooperation,” Ambassador of Russia to India, Nikolay Kudashev said.
The United Kingdom
The UK has sent three shipments of over 400 oxygen concentrators to India so far.
UAE
The United Arab Emirates sent a consignment of Covid relief material — including 157 ventilators, 480 BiPAPs, and other medical supplies — to India on April 30. An Indian Air Force C-17 carrying six cryogenic oxygen containers from Dubai landed in Panagarh Air Base in West Bengal.
Singapore
Two C 130 aircrafts carrying 256 oxygen cylinders from Singapore landed in Panagarh Air Base in West Bengal earlier this week.
Thailand
A special flight from Thailand carrying medical infrastructure landed in India on May 1. The Thai consignment included 15 oxygen concentrators, to help address the shortage of medical oxygen in the country. This is the third such consignment to arrive in the country in the last one week. The Thai government has promised to send 100 oxygen cylinders to India.
Bahrain
A shipment of 40 MT of liquid oxygen departed from Bahrain onboard INS Talwar on May 01.
Romania
Romanis is among the first European Union countries that have vowed to support India in its battle against the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. The country sent a consignment containing 80 oxygen concentrators and 75 oxygen cylinders to India on April 30.
Ireland
A shipment containing 700 units of oxygen concentrators and 365 ventilators arrived in India from Ireland on April 30.
Several other countries are expected to send shipments of Covid relief material over the next few weeks.
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