India is currently facing an overwhelming COVID-19 surge. According to CNN, cases have risen at an alarming rate since early March, with a record 352,991 new cases reported on Monday, the highest single-day total of any country. The country’s residents are scrambling to access open ICU beds for loved ones and fatalities are rising, with more than 2,000 deaths reported each day.
Experts suspect that a new homegrown variant — B.1.617 — could be behind the second surge. India’s cases were in a steady decline in February, and the rapid jump in cases was unexpected, made worse by the government’s slow response and loosened social-distancing restrictions. Meanwhile, the country’s vaccine distribution has only reached one percent of its population, leaving many people at risk. Due to the overwhelming number of cases, India is also low on medical supplies (especially supplemental oxygen) and hospital beds, and many people seeking treatment are being turned away. According to CNN, as of Tuesday morning, India had reported nearly 198,000 deaths. However, many fear that the true death count is far higher.
While countries around the globe are sending aid, here are a few organizations you can donate to if you have the means:
Making the Difference is helping provide medical supplies for public hospitals and nursing homes in Mumbai as well as grocery and ration kits to daily wage earners. Details on how to donate here.
Rapid Response, India’s premier disaster-response and preparedness service, is seeking donations to provide dry food goods such as rice, dal, salt, and sugar to families across India. Details on how to donate here.
Breathe India, a fundraiser led by Indian Institutes of Technology alumni in conjunction with the SaveLife Foundation, is seeking donations to procure effective distribution of oxygen concentrators to hospitals in Delhi. Lack of supplemental oxygen is currently a massive problem amid the COVID surge in India. Details on how to donate here.
Seva Kitchen, a nonprofit in Nagpur, is seeking donations to provide meal kits for marginalized communities. More details on how to donate here.
Transgender Welfare Equity and Empowerment Trust (TWEET) has been creating and funding shelter homes for trans people in Delhi during the pandemic. Details on how to donate here.
Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation (KSCF), a children’s rights organization based in India, is collecting donations to help children in poverty-stricken communities with access to meals and education. Details on how to donate can be found here.
HelpNow is an initiative led by young students in Mumbai to provide quick, 24/7 medical transportation. It is currently seeking donations to ensure adequate supplies and compensate its drivers. Details on how to donate here.
Give India, a crowdfunding nonprofit platform created to support India throughout the pandemic, is currently running fundraising campaigns for oxygen supply, food shortages, and women’s reproductive health amid the pandemic. Details on how to donate can be found here.