India is going through a deadly Covid-19 second wave and it’s heartbreaking. Want to lend a helping hand? Here’s how you can help from Singapore.
As Singapore preps to stay vigilant with the latest Covid-19 restrictions in place (some of us are even complaining about going back to the five pax rule), things are looking dire in India. The deadly second wave saw a whopping 400,000 new cases in a 24-hour period. Daily cases have sky-rocketed to over 300,000 per day. As of writing, India has 20 million reported cases of Covid-19 – the second-highest number of cases in the world (after the US).
A shortage of oxygen supply, hospital beds, medicines and vaccines has left the country in a scurry. We’ve seen devastating videos of mass crematoriums and graves, people begging for oxygen and snaking queues outside hospitals. Countries and organisations around the world have stepped up in providing healthcare aid and relief but there’s so much more we can do.
Closer to home, local brands are organising fundraisers to aid various organisations. And if you just want to donate, we’ve also listed a bunch of verified organisations supporting Covid-19 aid initiatives in India. Let’s do our part to give back!
Covid-19 crisis in India: How to help relief efforts from Singapore
1. The Chai Baba Chai Love India Bundle
Chai lovers, listen up. The Chai Baba is raising its tea cups (and funds) with a love bundle of the Oat Damn Masala Chai and caffeine-free Masala Mylk clad in exclusive bottles. $50 from every bundle sold will go to organisations such as Khalsa Aid, Goonj and Give India.
The Chai Baba Chai Love India Bundle, $88, shop online
2. Opium by Bubbly J #IndiaWeLove online sale
10 – 15 May
Local apparel label Opium by Bubbly J will be hosting an online sale. 50% of nett sales will be pledged to the Hemkunt Foundation and Milaap (South Asia’s largest crowdfunding platform). The label will also be donating an additional $500 along with the proceeds.
Opium by Bubbly J #IndiaWeLove online sale, visit the IG page for more updates
3. Show Up For India
16 May
Model, host and producer Nadia Kishlan and yoga practitioner Linda Hao are joining hands for a yoga and meditation fundraiser. Show Up For India will include a 60-minute compassionate practice of yoga and meditation led by Linda. Simply donate to a list of organisations (they’ve listed a few on the event page) and send them a screenshot of the proof of donation to secure a spot.
Show Up For India, 10am-11am; 5pm-6pm; East Coast Park, book a slot online
4. Sui Shop For A Cause
Until 15 May
Give back while grabbing sustainable, slow fashion pieces along the way at Sui’s ongoing Shop for a Cause sale. 40% of sales from the series will go to various non-profits such as Sai Foundation, Mission Oxygen India and the Enrich Lives Foundation.
Sui Shop For A Cause sale, shop online
5. Indian Spice Box’s Help India initiative
The brand is committing 100% of its sales from the silver spice box to charity partner Annamrita Foundation. The foundation focuses on providing free hot meals and grocery kits to underprivileged families. Enjoy the silver box filled with organic spices at a special price of $50, with free shipping in Singapore.
Indian Spice Box’s Help India initiative, $50, shop online
6. Maisha Concept Funds for India
Until 9 May
Local indie label Maisha Concept is donating all of its sales from now till 9 May to non-profits such as Hemkunt Foundation and Feeding From Far. Yes, that includes 100% of its sales from gorgeous scarves, apparel and fashion accessories.
Maisha Concept Funds for India, shop online
7. Flow and Chai Yoga Fundraiser
9 May
Join Flow and Chai for a special pay-as-you-wish yoga and chai sesh. All proceeds will go to Give India for medical and food supplies. Oh, and don’t forget to bring your own yoga mat, and mug for a cuppa hot chai.
Flow and Chai Yoga Fundraiser, 8.30am-9.30am, Botanic Gardens Nassim Gate, 1B Cluny Road, Singapore 259598
8. Singapore Red Cross
Singapore Red Cross (SRC) has launched a public fundraising appeal to support those affected in India. Donations raised through the India Health Relief Fund by the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) and Little India Shopkeepers Association (LISHA) will also be directed to the appeal. These funds will help with medical equipment and supplies. Make an online donation or via Giving.sg, Give.Asia, DonorBox and Benevity.
9. Feeding from Far
Feeding from Far delivers food to the poor and unemployed through cooked meals and ration kits. The organisation has been caring for over 7,000 people in Govandi, the largest and oldest slum in Mumbai. This includes daily wage workers, rickshaw drivers and rag pickers who’ve lost their jobs during the pandemic. You can help by offering financial aid.
10. Hemkunt Foundation
NGO Hemkunt Foundation has relentlessly been supplying free oxygen cylinders to those in need. Recently, it also organised a free oxygen cylinder drive through to provide oxygen relief to Covid patients in their cars. Donate online to help its efforts.
11. Kahlsa Aid
Humanitarian organisation Kahlsa Aid offers support to victims of natural disasters and civil conflicts. It’s actively supporting patients with oxygen concentrators, and has distributed over 300 concentrators in the Delhi NCR region. If you’d like to donate, the goal is to procure 5,000 concentrators for other cities.
12. Care India
Non-profit Care India – known to work on alleviating poverty and social exclusion – is supporting hospitals and frontline workers. The team provides PPE kits, critical medical consumables including oxygen cylinders, and medication to Covid care facilities. It’s also working to set up temporary Covid hospitals and care centres around the country. Help them out by making a financial contribution.
A little goes a long way to support relief for the Covid-19 crisis in India. Let’s all do our part for humanity.
