CHARIS Response To COVID-19 In India

Our hearts are breaking as we watch our brother and sisters in India suffer.

It is in times like this that we must stand together in love to support them in any way we can.

CHARIS has committed funds from our reserves to urgently meet the needs and provide support to those who are affected by the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak in India. There is much more that can be done for them if only we can pool our efforts - we need the immediate support from Catholics in Singapore to raise $300,000 to alleviate their suffering as soon as possible.

As India hits the grave milestone of the highest ever single-day spike of almost 380,000 new cases of COVID-19 infections on 29 Apr 2021, and crossing the staggering 18 million mark in total. The sense of helplessness is surpassing all the local and international efforts to support the collapsing healthcare infrastructure.

Understating the human toll of the country’s outbreak, which accounts for nearly half of all new cases in a global surge, the government is reporting more than 300,000+ new infections daily, and the rate of new infections is growing faster than it is in any other nation. It is also feared that the official tally of infections and related deaths is vastly underestimated. 

The national capital, Delhi has been held hostage by an unprecedented shortage in medical oxygen; leaving the infected struggling for air.

Burial grounds and crematoria across the country are running out of space at a time when the kicking off of vaccination drives has begun worldwide. 

Frontline health workers and volunteers are working round-the-clock to keep up with the pace of health measures. Furnaces have melted down from overuse and additional funeral platforms are being built outside. Such are the heartbreaking messages and haunting images that highlight the formidable second wave of the coronavirus pandemic raging through the country. The Church in India has lost many of its faithful laity and religious brothers and sisters in their pursuit to serve the distressed population.

As an immediate intervention to this humanitarian health crisis, there is an urgent need to reduce the stress on the healthcare system, and to provide an avenue for those who are marginalised to seek care and support.

Project Location: India
Overall Objective: Urgent Response to the humanitarian crisis caused by COVID-19 in India, and allowing essential care to be provided to the marginalised. This is a two-prong approach to meet the immediate needs of the situation on ground, and capacity building to ease the burden of the healthcare system in the affected region.

1. Portion of the funds raised will be channeled to the purchase and delivery of medical equipment and supplies such as ventilators, oxygen cylinders, and oxygen concentrators.

In support of Red Cross Singapore

• The lifesaving medical equipment will be delivered to community hospitals treating the worst affected communities in India

2. Remaining amount raised will be used for the establishment of about 7 temporary first level treatment and observation centres, and the operation for 1 month.

In support of Caritas India

• The 1st level treatment centres will be able to support the isolation and quarantine of 100 COVID-19 patients per month
• Medical kits provided to each patient, consisting of a vaporizer, pulse oximeter, and N95 masks 
• Each centre will operate with 2 doctors and 2 nurses, and 5 volunteers 
• The centres will also be equipped with 20 beds, basic medicine, and PPE
• Other miscellaneous costs such as electricity, rental space, etc, will also be included. 

*Programme from Caritas India is a bilateral project with will be co-funded by CHARIS and Caritas India. 

Caritas India, founded in 1962, is the official development arm of the Catholic Churches in India. Steered by the Gospel principles of love and compassion, and rooted in the commitment for inalienable human rights and social justice, Caritas India has worked in a mission mode, to alleviate human suffering. It believes that there is a close relationship between poverty and the denial of human rights and fundamental freedom, where lack of human rights and fundamental freedom can be both a cause and consequence of poverty. Since its inception, Caritas India has been unique in its strategic responsiveness to emerging social challenges in international and national levels by engaging with social researchers, proponents and the policy makers. Propelled by the commitment to preserve the dignity and sacredness of human personality, Caritas India has serves the underprivileged sections of the society, hailing from socially excluded communities, the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes, and religious minorities by exercising preferential actions for the most marginalised. More about Caritas India: https://www.caritasindia.org/

Singapore Red Cross helps communities recover from natural disasters and build resilience during peacetime. We go beyond our shores to bring humanitarian aid to those in need. Natural disasters strike without notice but there are systems that can provide forecast and warning based on studies and experiences. When it comes to disaster management, preparedness during peacetime is as important as response after the disaster hits. More about Red Cross Singapore: https://redcross.sg/