Canadian Companies Donate ₹354 Cr For India’s Fight Against Covid Second Wave

The Canadian Red Cross sent the majority of donations, while some businesses sent medical supplies to deal with the immediate crisis.

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New Delhi: Canadian corporations with a presence in India have contributed nearly 59 million Canadian dollars (354 crores) in supplies to aid in the devastating second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic that is sweeping through the country.

The Canada-India Business Council, or C-IBC, said in a statement issued on Friday said that their members “have made generous financial contributions and provided supplies in excess of $58,822,150 Canadian dollars (approximately ₹354 crores). We are grateful for the continuous support, ongoing initiatives and generosity of our members in helping the people of India”.
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The statement also mentioned that though in the last few weeks, infection rates were “starting to decline across many states as vaccination rates are increasing rapidly”, there were still “many areas” that are “experiencing devastating caseload and are still in crisis mode”.

In light of these circumstances, C-IBC “is continuing to support relief efforts in supporting the people of India”.

According to C-IBC president Victor Thomas, it is very encouraging that Canadian companies operating in the “India-Canada economic corridor stepped up and have been very supportive.”

Funds were mainly donated through the Canadian Red Cross, while some businesses sent medical supplies that were urgently required during the crisis. While major Canadian pension funds, which have heavily invested in India's infrastructure sector, were unable to contribute directly due to their charters, they implemented matching grants programmes based on employee contributions.

Thomas stated that the cumulative contribution was "not insignificant," and Canadian businesses wanted to send the message that "we're there and we're supportive" in the context of doing their part to help India during a critical period.

According to C-IBC the donations have “helped set up temporary Covid-19 hospitals, supply hospital beds, medical oxygen, lifesaving medicine, provide personal protective equipment (PPE), emergency care for migrants, and implement infection control activities in communities across India”.