EU, UK, Germany and Israel pledge to help India tackle Covid-19 crisis

The European Union (EU), United Kingdom (UK), Germany and Israel on Sunday pledged to support India in its battle against the second wave of Covid-19, which is threatening to overwhelm the country's healthcare system.

The assurances of help came in a time when the daily Covid infection rates in India almost touched 3.5 lac and has been hovering over 3 lac plus for 4 days straight, reports NDTV.

In regards to providing emergency aid to India, European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic tweeted, "Upon request for assistance by #India, we have activated the #EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The EU will do its utmost to mobilise assistance to support people of IN. Our #ERCC is already coordinating EU MS that are ready to provide urgently needed #oxygen & medicine rapidly."

A confirmation regarding the emergency assistance also came from Ursula von der Leyen, President of the EU Commission.

"Alarmed by the epidemiological situation in India. We are ready to support. The EU is pooling resources to respond rapidly to India's request for assistance via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. We stand in full solidarity with the Indian people!" her post read.

While there is no official message from Israel yet, Amichai Stein from the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation tweeted on Israel's decision to extend help, quoting officials, reports NDTV.

"Following the Covid 19 situation in India: Israel is considering sending medical aid to India, officials tells me," his tweet read.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel too said her government is preparing emergency aid for India.

"To the people of India I want to express my sympathy on the terrible suffering that Covid-19 has again brought over your communities," Merkel said in a message shared on Twitter by her spokesman Steffen Seibert.

Though there were no immediate details about what aid Germany will offer, Der Spiegel weekly, citing unnamed sources, has reported that Germany's armed forces have received a request to help organise oxygen supplies, reports NDTV.

On Friday, France had said it stands by India in this crisis.

"I want to send a message of solidarity to the Indian people, facing a resurgence of Covid-19 cases. France is with you in this struggle, which spares no-one. We stand ready to provide our support," French Ambassador Emmanuel Lenain tweeted French President Emmanuel Macron's message.

The United Kingdom on Sunday said it was sending life-saving medical equipment to India - including ventilators and oxygen concentrators, reports NDTV.

"Vital medical equipment, including hundreds of oxygen concentrators and ventilators, is now on its way from the UK to India to support efforts to prevent the tragic loss of life from this terrible virus," Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a statement.

"We stand side by side with India as a friend and partner during what is a deeply concerning time in the fight against Covid-19. We will continue to work closely with the Indian government and I'm determined to make sure the UK does everything it can to support the international community in the global fight against pandemic," he added.

The first shipment is expected to reach Delhi early Tuesday, with more scheduled over the coming week. In total, nine containers carrying over 600 pieces - including 495 oxygen concentrators, 120 non-invasive ventilators and 20 manual ventilators - of vital medical equipment will be sent, reports NDTV.

The hospitals in India have been struggling to provide beds and drugs, but oxygen is the most pressing need, with reports of shortage coming from state after state.

The national capital, Delhi, has been the worst sufferer, having to weather a recurring crisis since the beginning of the week. 

Multiple hospitals have reported their supplies were running need – sometimes as often as three or four times a day.

In his address to the nation last week, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called the second Covid wave a "toofan" (storm) that has swept through the country, reports NDTV.

Most nations have put a temporary stop to flight services to and from India.