We’re working with local partners to bring relief to a nation hit hard by the deadly virus.

A massive second wave of the deadly COVID-19 virus is sweeping across India, overwhelming hospitals and other medical facilities. In recent weeks, many coronavirus patients have been unable to be fully treated due to a shortage of intensive care unit beds, oxygen, and other critical medical supplies.

Samaritan’s Purse is working with partners on the ground to help bring practical relief, encouragement, and hope to people who are suffering. In one hard-hit area, we’re supporting a local hospital by providing urgently needed medical supplies to bolster their capacity. The facility’s COVID-19 intensive care unit has recently expanded from 15 beds to 74, with many patients requiring ventilation and round-the-clock care.

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“Our district has been completely overwhelmed with the infection of the virus in the last two weeks. In our town, upwards of 3,000 patients a day are being seen,” said one of the doctors at the hospital. “Last week, for the first time in the 25 years of the hospital, we nearly ran out of oxygen.”

Rapidly escalating infection numbers across India are staggering. The country, home to the world’s second largest national population, has recorded more than 350,000 new infections each day for several consecutive days—the globe’s highest daily caseload since the pandemic began early last year.

Providing Emergency Food

Samaritan’s Purse will also be helping local partners distribute emergency food to more than 3,500 families struggling to make ends meet in the wake of COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns. Families who usually work as day labourers—living hand-to-mouth—are without means to secure an income.

“Here, one day without work is a day without food,” said our local partner.

Also among those suffering are jobless migrant workers who have no way of returning home because most public transportation options have stopped. Some are walking hundreds of miles to try and get home, with others sheltering at bus stops and train stations.

Our food packages will include enough rice, oil, lentils, sugar, salt, vegetables, and other essential provisions to feed a family of four for about a month.

Samaritan’s Purse also distributed emergency food last year in India during the ongoing pandemic. Please pray for our partners who are working hard to bring physical relief to those in need. Pray for their strength, safety, and provision, and that their light may shine in these days. Pray for those who are suffering from COVID-19 in India and around the world.