World Vision Australia is delighted at ANZ's generous donation of at least $1 million to kickstart the aid organisation's India COVID-19 Appeal that will help fund lifesaving needs, such as oxygen and hospital beds.
ANZ on Friday announced it would donate $1 million to World Vision's appeal, and in addition, will match customer and employee donations to the India appeal dollar-for-dollar up to a further $1 million.
World Vision Australia CEO Daniel Wordsworth said ANZ's donation was an overwhelming gesture of kindness that was testimony to both the generosity of Australians and the close bonds between the two nations.
"India and its people hold a special place in the hearts of Australians, and ANZ's incredible gesture today has confirmed both that and the generosity of Australia," Mr Wordsworth said. "I am appealing to the rest of corporate Australia to show similar solidarity, and to the generosity of all Australians to show their support in what has become a grave humanitarian crisis.
"If there's one thing that COVID-19 has shown us, it's that, overwhelmingly, people are kind and want to help those in need. And as we know, this pandemic won't be over for anyone until it's over for everyone."
ANZ's announcement came as the India recorded more than 380,000 new infections and 3645 new deaths in one day – the highest number in a single day since the start of the pandemic.
The agency has warned that the massive explosion of cases unfolding in places like the Delhi region, where hospitals have been overwhelmed and face crippling shortages of oxygen, will soon be replicated in many populous states where health services are more sparse.
Mr Wordsworth said the people of India needed the support of Australia – and the rest of the world – like never before.
"I'm heartbroken by the devastating wave of COVID-19 infections sweeping India, and its impact on the millions of children we are already helping through this crisis," he said.
Mr Wordsworth said misinformation and vaccine shortages were impacting vaccine roll-out efforts and could potentially hamper attempts to deal with the pandemic.
With India's COVID-19 daily infection rates reaching devastating levels, he warned that the globe had a long way to go to defeating the virus – and some nations are yet to face their worst days.
"While some nations are starting to see light at the end of the tunnel, it is clear many parts of the world are yet to face their worst moments," Mr Wordsworth said.
"We will be there, in those corners of the world, supporting and empowering children and their communities they live in."
Globally, cases have now increased for the ninth straight week, with Asia and the Western Pacific seeing the largest rise. There were almost as many cases globally last week as in the first five months of the pandemic. World Vision is also closely monitoring countries such as Bolivia, Ecuador, Mexico, Syria, and Papua New Guinea where new spikes in caseloads have been emerging.
Since March 2020, World Vision has reached more than six million people in India with a response targeted to help the most vulnerable cope with the impacts of lockdowns and COVID-19 prevention efforts.
It is also boosting efforts to support hospitals, health centres and communities with personal protective equipment, surgical masks and sanitiser. World Vision is also continuing to engage with, and support its registered sponsor children and their families, as well as the communities in which it works.
Andrew Morley, World Vision International President and CEO, said: "We pray for all of those affected, and will continue doing everything in our power to support the most vulnerable. This includes working with faith leaders to combat scepticism about vaccines, and pressing for fair and equitable vaccine distribution."
You can support World Vision's India COVID-19 appeal at http://www.worldvision.com.au/end-corona
