Edhi Foundation offers humanitarian services to India to combat COVID-19

KARACHI: As a third wave of COVID-19 continues to hit Pakistan stronger each day, our country is expected to go under lockdown once again. Students have also been pushing for exams to be cancelled while schools for certain age groups are closed till Eid. However, the situation has suddenly gotten a lot worse for our neighbours who are yet to recover from the second wave. Within days, the number of COVID cases in India has risen unexpectedly and the country is facing a shortage in the supply of oxygen. Social media has been flooded with news of Indian hospitals running out of oxygen while physical capacity to accommodate patients has also reached its limit.

Owing to the emergency in India, Edhi Foundation has offered humanitarian services to the country. Faisal Edhi has written a letter to Narendra Modi to extend his services.

In the letter, Edhi wrote, “We have been closely following the current impact that the COVID-19 crisis has had on the people of India…As a neighbouring friend, we sympathise with you greatly and during this strenuous time, we would like to extend our help in the form of a fleet of 50 ambulances along with our services to assist you in addressing, and further circumventing, the current health condition.”

Faisal Edhi, Managing Trustee of the Edhi Foundation went on to personally offer to “lead and manage the humanitarian team from (the) organization.” He also ensured Modi that no inconvenience will be caused to India and that “we will arrange all the necessary supplies that our team needs to assist the people of India. Importantly, we are not requesting any other assistance from you, as we are providing the fuel, food, and other necessary amenities that our team will require. Our team consists of emergency medical technicians, office staff, drivers, and supporting staff.”

Edhi went on to ask Modi for permission to enter India along with any necessary guidance from the local administration and police department.

Here is to hoping that COVID cases in India and other parts of the world decrease soon and that humanity wins the battle.