India COVID Crisis
May 2021
When a deadly second wave of COVID-19 struck India, the surge overwhelmed health services across the country as daily infections continued to rise.
Hospitals and health centres were running out of beds, essential drugs and oxygen.
The crisis affected lives and people’s livelihoods, with the poorest and most marginalized communities also facing food insecurity.
Thanks to the generosity of Canadians, Humanitarian Coalition members responded rapidly to the crisis.
We provided:
- oxygen concentrators to hospitals and health centres
- tents, beds, medical equipment and supplies to medical facilities
- community outreach to address vaccination hesitancy
- support for community members to register for vaccinations
- logistics support for vaccination campaigns in remote communities
- personal protective equipment (PPE) to health-care workers
- training for community leaders on COVID-19 prevention and response
- COVID-19 care kits and hygiene kits that include soap, disinfectants, washing powder, masks, gloves and household-level diagnostic equipment.
- financial support to the most vulnerable families through cash transfers
- food kits with dry rations
- gender-based violence awareness and prevention trainings
- community awareness on potential child protection issues -- child marriage, child trafficking, child labour, child sexual abuse
- reintegration of children orphaned due to COVID-19
- mental health support to affected people, including children, with the help of counsellors.