ADRA Ramps Up Relief Efforts for India’s Mounting COVID-19 Health Crisis

By: Adventist Development and Relief Agency

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is scaling up emergency operations in India to help save thousands of lives in COVID-19-affected communities. The country is struggling with an unprecedented second outbreak of COVID-19, with an average of more than 300,000 new coronavirus cases reported daily, according to the World Health Organization. By the end of April, more than 200,000 people had died due to the coronavirus in India since the beginning of 2021. 

ADRA’s emergency response team is working on the ground to ensure critically ill patients have immediate access to oxygen to survive the crisis. The international humanitarian agency is donating an oxygen generation plant to provide relief to affected patients.

“The situation in India is grim,” Weston Davis, ADRA country director in India, said. “Hospitals are running out of equipment to keep people alive, such as oxygen cylinders. The health-care system is stretched to the breaking point, and people are dying because they can’t find a hospital bed and oxygen. It’s absolutely terrible. The country needs immediate help, and it is our duty to do everything we can to help the people in need and save lives.” 

ADRA is partnering with Adventist hospitals, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and other trusted partners to establish the oxygen generation plant. The life-saving gas system will provide COVID-19 patients with a secure and constant source of oxygen, instead of relying on manufacturers who cannot meet the demand due to the massive surge in coronavirus cases.

“The pandemic is far from over,” ADRA president Michael Kruger said. “We are praying for the people of India, and also speeding up our emergency efforts to bring immediate relief to the most affected communities. ADRA is working tirelessly against COVID-19 to make sure that lives are saved, and the right help is delivered quickly to so many communities ravaged by this pandemic.

“We are grateful to the Adventist church and our donors for their continued support,” Kruger added. “They are vital partners in our fight against COVID-19 around the world.”

ADRA is also working with the region’s health department to help set up and monitor COVID-19 vaccine camps and is teaming up with mental health facilities to offer psycho-social support through counseling and community awareness programs. Additionally, ADRA is delivering critical PPE to frontline health-care workers in hospitals in the country.

The original version of this story was posted by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency.