India COVID-19 Response
India was devastated by the second wave of COVID-19. Across the country, there were severe shortages of hospital beds and oxygen, which led to hundreds of people dying without being able to receive the necessary treatment. The second wave of COVID-19 also spread rapidly to smaller cities and the rural hinterland of India, where there is no proper access to testing facilities or treatment centers.
Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, India has reported over 30 million cases with the death toll rising to over 400,000.
Strengthening health care systems
World Vision donated 20 oxygen concentrator machines to a 2,000 bed capacity COVID-19 health center in Mumbai.
World Vision India is working to equip health care facilities with oxygen concentrators, thermometer, pulse oximeters, PPE kits, beds and other essential non-medical supplies.
As of mid-July, World Vision India has distributed a total of 1,557 oxygen concentrators, 2,508 pulse oximeters, 10,396 PPE kits and 1,495 hospital beds.
Over 2,670 people have been provided with cash assistance for treatment and hospitalization for COVID-19.
Over 1,500 families of children and people with disabilities are supported with dry rations.
Besides that, World Vision India is looking to enhance the capacity of primary health care centers in rural areas by setting up temporary structures or tents for screening and treating COVID-19 patients.
Providing psychosocial support & building resilience
World Vision India in partnership with UNICEF organized a Self-Care Through Art program to encourage young children warriors like Sneha (photo) to prioritize their well-being during the pandemic. Over 750 children and youth from communities World Vision serves participated in this event.
World Vision India’s psychosocial support program, with the support of Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) UK, has provided counselling support to over 7,000 children.
World Vision India has been increasing awareness among children on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19, as well as messages on child protection, through short videos and written messages. Children are encouraged to share these messages with their peers within their communities. Over 58,000 children have received and shared these messages. Children’s group meetings online was also used to raise awareness and check the well-being of over 7,000 children.
11,700 children were given home-based remedial education kits. Each kit consisted of stationery, story book, drawing book, folder to keep worksheets, mask, hand sanitizer, water bottle, hand towel and lunch box.
Vaccination advocacy
World Vision volunteers go from house to house to answer question and address doubts from community members regarding the COVID-19 vaccine.
World Vision India is working closely with the Government to increase vaccination in communities.
World Vision India organized a float campaign where vehicles carrying banners and vaccination messages were driven through communities we work in, to raise awareness about the importance of COVID-19 vaccination to over 1 million people.
Webinars about COVID-19 and vaccination was conducted for over 400 people with disabilities.
World Vision India’s social media campaign #Raksha4children aims to encourage adults to get vaccinated to stop the spread of the virus and protect children. The campaign also raises awareness about child protection issues.