Indian Ambassador Sri Sibi George today addressed the Indian community in a virtual meeting to address the Covid situation in India and the assistance from Abroad including Kuwait. Large number of community members attend the meeting virtually.
“The second wave of Covid 19 pandemic has now hit our motherland hard,” Ambassador said. “It has implications for us here in Kuwait too as the travel to and from India has been completely stopped. All flights including the air bubble which helped the Vande Bharat mission where Indians in Kuwait could return directly to India has also been stopped,” Ambassador said. There are challenges and the country as a whole is addressing it, he said.
Ambassador briefed the community about the state of assistance from abroad including that of Kuwait. Government of India has been receiving international donations of Covid-19 relief medical supplies and equipment since 27 April from different countries including United Kingdom, Ireland, Romania, Russia, UAE, USA, Taiwan, Kuwait, France, Thailand, Germany, Uzbekistan, Belgium, Italy, etc.
Kuwait was one of the first countries to come forward and offer support to India, Ambassador said. The ongoing assistance from Kuwait include: Kuwait Air Force Aircraft KAF 3201 Kuwait - Delhi reached on 4 May, 40 Tons of Assistance sent by Govt of State of Kuwait including Ventilators (11), Oxygen Cylinders (282), Oxygen Concentrator (60) and medicines and other medical equipment; INS Kolkata, departed Kuwait on 4 May with Kuwait Govt assistance of Liquid Medical Oxygen (Two 20 MT ISO cryo tankers totaling 40 MT LMO); Donation by Indian Community in Kuwait through Indian Community Support Group - Oxygen Cylinders (200), Oxygen concentrators (4); Kuwaiti merchant Ship departed on 5 May with Kuwait Govt assistance of Liquid Medical Oxygen (Three 25 MT semi-trailers totaling 75 MT LMO) and 1000 Oxygen cylinders; INS Kochi, departed Kuwait on 6 May with Kuwait Govt assistance of Liquid Medical Oxygen (Three 20 MT ISO cryo tankers totaling 60 MT LMO); Donation by Indian Community Oxygen Cylinders (800) & Oxygen concentrators (2); INS Tabar, departed Kuwait on 6 May with Kuwait Govt assistance of Liquid Medical Oxygen (Two 20 MT ISO cryo tankers totaling 40 MT LMO); Donation by Indian Community in Kuwait through Indian Community Support Group - Oxygen Cylinders (600).
Regarding the utilization of the assistance received, Ambassador said that a streamlined and systematic mechanism for allocation of the support supplies received has been put into place by Government of India. All donations are addressed to the Red Cross Society of India. A Standard Operating Procedure has been framed and implemented by the Health Ministry, Ambassador explained.
“Updates on the details of the distribution of all donations received by Government of India are available and I will be happy to share it with all concerned to know the movement of their donations,” Ambassador said. Even though there are logistics challenges such as having to match specifications of equipment with our units, installation of oxygen plants needing technical assistance, training, maintenance etc, all possible attempts are made to distribute the material immediately to ensure optimal use.
Ambassador congratulates ICSG, Indian Business and Professional Council (IBPC), Indian Doctors Forum (IDF), IIT/IIM Association and many other associations and individuals who came forward to mobilize oxygen cylinders and other equipment. He also requested everyone to ensure that all contributions are made to these efforts after due verification. As part of the Standard Operating Procedure, all supplies of COVID-19 related equipment that is offered to be sent to India is to be routed through Indian Red Cross Society, which will receive it on behalf of Government of India, Ambassador said.
Any clarification or queries with regard to dispatch of emergency medical supplies to India or transfer of funds to PM CARES Fund may be addressed to the Embassy by writing to [email protected] with a copy to [email protected]
“We can overcome this challenge by collective spirit and action,” Ambassador said. There is no room for one-upmanship because nobody is safe from COVID-19, until each one of us is safe, Ambassador said. The meeting concluded with national anthem.