Amazon India has joined hands with ACT Grants, Temasek Foundation, Pune Platform for COVID-19 Response (PPCR) along with other partners to urgently airlift over 8,000 oxygen concentrators and 500 bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) machines from Singapore.
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.
Saudi Arabia sent 80 metric tons of oxygen to India amid a surging number of coronavirus cases and supply shortages in hospitals across the nation, the Indian embassy in Riyadh said on Sunday.
“The Embassy of India is proud to partner with Adani Group and M/s Linde in shipping much-needed 80 metric tons of liquid oxygen to India,” the embassy tweeted.
“Our heartfelt thanks to Ministry of Health Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for all their help, support and cooperation.”
Australia is considering providing further humanitarian assistance to India as the country grapples with a devastating surge in COVID-19 cases.
Health Minister Greg Hunt has confirmed the federal government's National Security Committee will meet on Tuesday to review measures to support India's health system as it buckles under the mass outbreak.
The European Union and the United Kingdom on Sunday offered medical support to India as a devastating surge of coronavirus infections engulfed the country, crippling its healthcare system.
The European Commission said it had activated its EU Civil Protection Mechanism and was seeking to send oxygen and medicine to virus-hit India after receiving a request from New Delhi. “Alarmed by the epidemiological situation in India. We are ready to support,” Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on Twitter on Sunday.
“The EU executive is already coordinating with EU countries that are ready to provide urgently needed oxygen & medicine rapidly,” European Commission for Humanitarian Aid Janez Lenarcic wrote on Twitter.
The United Kingdom said it was sending life-saving medical equipment to India, including ventilators and oxygen concentrators, reported AFP.
The first shipment is expected to reach Delhi early Tuesday, with more scheduled for the coming week. In total, nine containers carrying over 600 pieces, including 495 oxygen concentrators, 120 non-invasive ventilators and 20 manual ventilators, will be sent by the country.
“Vital medical equipment, including hundreds of oxygen concentrators and ventilators, is now on its way from the UK to India to support efforts to prevent the tragic loss of life from this terrible virus,” Prime Minister Boris Johnson said.
On Sunday, United States President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris too promised to help India in its fight against the pandemic. The U.S. National Security Advisor spoke to his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval and promised to make available the raw material required to manufacture the Covishield vaccine. ■
Under an intense surge of arctic air, Friday morning will begin with the coldest temperatures so far this season across much of the central and eastern U.S. with blustery conditions and a piercing wind chill.