The second covid wave is hitting India with full force. To support families in this humanitarian crisis, the Usthi Foundation is providing emergency aid together with a local partner organisation.
At the end of April 2021, India is recording over 300,000 new infections per day. The Indian health system is overburdened and in many places it is no longer possible to admit new patients. Many of them die while waiting for a hospital bed. Due to the current crisis situation, many day labourers are losing their jobs and thus their livelihoods for themselves and their children. In addition, many families suddenly lose their income due to a death. Without support, they can no longer feed themselves.
Poverty-stricken families are particularly exposed to the risk of becoming infected, as they cannot afford protective material or contacts are unavoidable at work. In addition, access to the vaccine is difficult. People have to queue for several hours outside public hospitals to get vaccinated. This is not possible for frail people. Day labourers who still have a job cannot afford the long absences from work and single mothers cannot leave their young children alone. Poorer families cannot afford the more easily accessible vaccination in a private clinic.
The Usthi Foundation has been helping young people in India since 1976. In order to help people in the current emergency, Usthi has now started an emergency relief campaign together with a long-standing partner organisation in Hyderabad. Usthi has already been able to provide 300 families with food. The aim of the campaign is to distribute 2,000 food packages to particularly affected families and to provide vaccinations for 1,000 vulnerable people.
Usthi is asking for donations in order to be able to provide help in the current emergency. Just 14 francs can provide food for a family. For 20 francs, a vaccination can be given to a vulnerable person. Every contribution is of great importance to those affected. Thank you very much for your solidarity!