<p>Emirates airline said on Sunday it will fly medical supplies from Dubai to nine cities in India free of charge from this week to help battle a devastating upsurge in the coronavirus.</p>

<p>International aid has poured in for India, where record infection rates have overwhelmed hospitals, depleting medicines, oxygen tanks and other supplies.</p>

<p>Earlier this month, Qatar Airways also airlifted 300 tonnes of aid free of charge from Doha to India.</p>

<p>Emirates will provide free spare capacity to transport supplies from charities based in Dubai, divisional senior vice president Nabil Sultan told reporters, saying the mechanism could later be extended to bring aid from other parts.</p>

<p>"We are absolutely committed to helping India," he said.</p>

<p>The supplies will be organised through Dubai's International Humanitarian City, a hub used by many non-governmental organisations to transport aid globally. Supplies would be flown for free until further notice, Sultan said.</p>

<p>The first flight under the new "airbridge" is scheduled to depart for New Delhi on May 13 carrying 12.6 tonnes of multi-purpose tents from the World Health Organization (WHO).</p>

<p>India reported 4,092 new deaths from the virus on Sunday, bringing the total to 242,362. Infections in the last 24 hours rose to 403,738, a near-record, increasing the total since the pandemic started to 22.3 million.</p>

<p>Emirates operates 95 weekly flights to nine Indian cities: New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Cochin, Hyderabad and Trivandrum. Those flights offer about 5,000 tonnes of weekly cargo capacity.</p>


Emirates airline said on Sunday it will fly medical supplies from Dubai to nine cities in India free of charge from this week to help battle a devastating upsurge in the coronavirus.

Emirates airline said on Sunday it will fly medical supplies from Dubai to nine cities in India free of charge from this week to help battle a devastating upsurge in the coronavirus. International aid has poured in for India, where record infection rates have overwhelmed hospitals, depleting medicines, oxygen tanks and other supplies. Earlier this month, Qatar Airways also airlifted 300 tonnes of aid free of charge from Doha to India. Emirates will provide free spare capacity to transport supplies from charities based in Dubai, divisional senior vice president Nabil Sultan told reporters, saying the mechanism could later be extended to bring aid from other parts. "We are absolutely committed to helping India," he said. The supplies will be organised through Dubai's International Humanitarian City, a hub used by many non-governmental organisations to transport aid globally. Supplies would be flown for free until further notice, Sultan said. The first flight under the new "airbridge" is scheduled to depart for New Delhi on May 13 carrying 12.6 tonnes of multi-purpose tents from the World Health Organization (WHO). India reported 4,092 new deaths from the virus on Sunday, bringing the total to 242,362. Infections in the last 24 hours rose to 403,738, a near-record, increasing the total since the pandemic started to 22.3 million. Emirates operates 95 weekly flights to nine Indian cities: New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Cochin, Hyderabad and Trivandrum. Those flights offer about 5,000 tonnes of weekly cargo capacity.

Emirates to fly medical aid to India for free

<p>As countries and organisations come forward to aid India in fighting a massive wave of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a>, the Australian state of Victoria became the latest to provide assistance.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Victoria on Tuesday announced aid worth AUD 41 million (approx $31 million), which includes providing 1,000 ventilators and other medical equipment to India.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-reports-biggest-spike-of-412-lakh-new-cases-383229/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>"We are working with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to deliver this support to India as the country works to manage the second wave of coronavirus and treat those infected," an official statement said.</p>

<p>"The 1,000 ICU ventilators are currently owned by the Department of Health and will be donated to India for humanitarian purposes and the state was also preparing to send a range of supporting equipment like connectors and humidifiers, with the total package valued at over 41 million Australian dollars."</p>

<p>The state's acting Premier James Merlino called the COVID-19 situation in India "devastating" and added that the state has a "responsibility" to help.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/how-will-india-benefit-from-eus-ratification-of-china-investment-deal-383066">How will India benefit from EU's ratification of China investment deal?</a></strong></p>

<p>The most number of migrants from India in Australia reside in Victoria.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Several countries, including the US, UK, Russia, France, and Germany are sending critical supplies to India as the country struggles to deal with oxygen, vaccine shortages to tackle the ongoing wave that has wreaked havoc in the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


As countries and organisations come forward to aid India in fighting a massive wave of coronavirus, the Australian state of Victoria became the latest to provide assistance.

As countries and organisations come forward to aid India in fighting a massive wave of coronavirus, the Australian state of Victoria became the latest to provide assistance. Victoria on Tuesday announced aid worth AUD 41 million (approx $31 million), which includes providing 1,000 ventilators and other medical equipment to India. Watch | "We are working with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to deliver this support to India as the country works to manage the second wave of coronavirus and treat those infected," an official statement said. "The 1,000 ICU ventilators are currently owned by the Department of Health and will be donated to India for humanitarian purposes and the state was also preparing to send a range of supporting equipment like connectors and humidifiers, with the total package valued at over 41 million Australian dollars." The state's acting Premier James Merlino called the COVID-19 situation in India "devastating" and added that the state has a "responsibility" to help. Also read | How will India benefit from EU's ratification of China investment deal? The most number of migrants from India in Australia reside in Victoria. Several countries, including the US, UK, Russia, France, and Germany are sending critical supplies to India as the country struggles to deal with oxygen, vaccine shortages to tackle the ongoing wave that has wreaked havoc in the country.

Coronavirus in India: Australian state of Victoria sends aid worth $31 million to India

<p>The first US government assistance flight carrying COVID-19 emergency aid supplies landed in India on Friday morning.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A military aircraft Super Galaxy military transporter brought the first supplies to help India to fight the deadly second COVID-19 wave that has wreaked havoc across the country, straining its healthcare system.</p>

<p>The aircraft is carrying more than 400 oxygen cylinders and other hospital equipment and nearly one million rapid coronavirus tests landed at New Delhi’s international airport.</p>

<p>“The first of several emergency COVID-19 relief shipments from the United States has arrived in India! Building on over 70 years of cooperation, the United States stands with India as we fight the COVID-19 pandemic together. #USIndiaDosti,” the US Embassy tweeted.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The first of several emergency COVID-19 relief shipments from the United States has arrived in India! Building on over 70 years of cooperation, the United States stands with India as we fight the COVID-19 pandemic together. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USIndiaDosti?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USIndiaDosti</a> <a href="https://t.co/OpHn8ZMXrJ">pic.twitter.com/OpHn8ZMXrJ</a></p>
— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/USAndIndia/status/1387963303238897665?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>India is currently recording a world record infection rate of more than 380,000 cases and 3,500 deaths a day and a huge international aid operation has been launched with dozens of countries promising help.</p>

<p>The delivery, which flew in from the Travis military base in California, followed talks this week between US President Joe Biden and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi.</p>

<p>“The United States is delivering supplies worth more than $100 million in the coming days to provide urgent relief to our partners in India,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said Thursday.</p>

<p>Coronavirus cases are surging in India amid a widespread oxygen shortage and slow vaccine rollout. The country's pandemic death toll surpassed 205,000 on Friday, amid reports that COVID fatalities and cases are going uncounted.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The first US government assistance flight carrying COVID-19 emergency aid supplies landed in India on Friday morning. A military aircraft Super Galaxy military transporter brought the first supplies to help India to fight the deadly second COVID-19 wave that has wreaked havoc across the country, straining its healthcare system.

The first US government assistance flight carrying COVID-19 emergency aid supplies landed in India on Friday morning. A military aircraft Super Galaxy military transporter brought the first supplies to help India to fight the deadly second COVID-19 wave that has wreaked havoc across the country, straining its healthcare system. The aircraft is carrying more than 400 oxygen cylinders and other hospital equipment and nearly one million rapid coronavirus tests landed at New Delhi’s international airport. “The first of several emergency COVID-19 relief shipments from the United States has arrived in India! Building on over 70 years of cooperation, the United States stands with India as we fight the COVID-19 pandemic together. #USIndiaDosti,” the US Embassy tweeted. The first of several emergency COVID-19 relief shipments from the United States has arrived in India! Building on over 70 years of cooperation, the United States stands with India as we fight the COVID-19 pandemic together. #USIndiaDosti pic.twitter.com/OpHn8ZMXrJ — U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) April 30, 2021 × India is currently recording a world record infection rate of more than 380,000 cases and 3,500 deaths a day and a huge international aid operation has been launched with dozens of countries promising help. The delivery, which flew in from the Travis military base in California, followed talks this week between US President Joe Biden and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “The United States is delivering supplies worth more than $100 million in the coming days to provide urgent relief to our partners in India,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said Thursday. Coronavirus cases are surging in India amid a widespread oxygen shortage and slow vaccine rollout. The country's pandemic death toll surpassed 205,000 on Friday, amid reports that COVID fatalities and cases are going uncounted. (With inputs from agencies)

US stands with India: First of $100 million Covid aid from US arrives in India 

<p>The United States said on Wednesday it was sending more than $100 million in supplies to Covid-ravaged India, including nearly one million instant tests on a first flight.</p>

<p>The White House said the first consignment would arrive on Thursday in New Delhi on a military plane, days after President Joe Biden promised to step up assistance to the emerging US ally.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/world-leaders-reaffirms-commitment-to-helping-india-381134/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The first batch includes 960,000 rapid tests, which can detect Covid in 15 minutes, and 100,000 N95 masks for frontline health workers, the US Agency for International Development said.</p>

<p>The White House said total aid on flights in the coming days would be worth more than $100 million and include 1,000 refillable oxygen cylinders and 1,700 concentrators that produce oxygen for patients from the air.</p>

<p>"Just as India sent assistance to the United States when our hospitals were strained early in the pandemic, the United States is determined to help India in its time of need," a White House statement said.</p>

<p>The White House said it was also sending supplies to India to produce more than 20 million vaccine doses.</p>

<p>The supplies are being diverted from US orders to produce the AstraZeneca vaccine, which has not been approved for use in the United States.</p>

<p>India's death toll from the coronavirus pandemic surged past 200,000 on Wednesday, worsened by shortages of hospital beds and medical oxygen. The last 24 hours brought 360,960 new cases for the world's largest single-day total, taking India's tally of infections to nearly 18 million.</p>

<p>The United States is determined to help the people of India in this moment of crisis, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said here as the first shipment of key life-saving medical supplies for the country took off from California.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The United States is determined to help the people of India. We will continue to stand together in our shared battle against COVID-19. <a href="https://t.co/Om74VC0Fyx">https://t.co/Om74VC0Fyx</a></p>
— Jake Sullivan (@JakeSullivan46) <a href="https://twitter.com/JakeSullivan46/status/1387557530533048325?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>The move by the Biden administration came days after Sullivan, in a call with his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval, announced a series of COVID-19 relief aid to India.</p>

<p>On Monday, President Joe Biden spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The US president is believed to have pledged all support that India would need in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.</p>

<p>Biden has directed the entire administration to work on a war footing to save lives in India. The Pentagon is deploying its resources as well.</p>

<p>USIAD said that it is airlifting vital medical supplies to India to save lives, stop the spread of COVID-19, and meet the urgent health needs of the Indian people.</p>

<p>"We're sending critical oxygen and O2 related supplies, N95 masks, &amp; rapid diagnostic testing kits to India w/more on the way soon," it tweeted.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The United States said on Wednesday it was sending more than $100 million in supplies to Covid-ravaged India, including nearly one million instant tests on a first flight.

The United States said on Wednesday it was sending more than $100 million in supplies to Covid-ravaged India, including nearly one million instant tests on a first flight. The White House said the first consignment would arrive on Thursday in New Delhi on a military plane, days after President Joe Biden promised to step up assistance to the emerging US ally. The first batch includes 960,000 rapid tests, which can detect Covid in 15 minutes, and 100,000 N95 masks for frontline health workers, the US Agency for International Development said. The White House said total aid on flights in the coming days would be worth more than $100 million and include 1,000 refillable oxygen cylinders and 1,700 concentrators that produce oxygen for patients from the air. "Just as India sent assistance to the United States when our hospitals were strained early in the pandemic, the United States is determined to help India in its time of need," a White House statement said. The White House said it was also sending supplies to India to produce more than 20 million vaccine doses. The supplies are being diverted from US orders to produce the AstraZeneca vaccine, which has not been approved for use in the United States. India's death toll from the coronavirus pandemic surged past 200,000 on Wednesday, worsened by shortages of hospital beds and medical oxygen. The last 24 hours brought 360,960 new cases for the world's largest single-day total, taking India's tally of infections to nearly 18 million. The United States is determined to help the people of India in this moment of crisis, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said here as the first shipment of key life-saving medical supplies for the country took off from California. The United States is determined to help the people of India. We will continue to stand together in our shared battle against COVID-19. https://t.co/Om74VC0Fyx — Jake Sullivan (@JakeSullivan46) April 29, 2021 × The move by the Biden administration came days after Sullivan, in a call with his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval, announced a series of COVID-19 relief aid to India. On Monday, President Joe Biden spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The US president is believed to have pledged all support that India would need in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Biden has directed the entire administration to work on a war footing to save lives in India. The Pentagon is deploying its resources as well. USIAD said that it is airlifting vital medical supplies to India to save lives, stop the spread of COVID-19, and meet the urgent health needs of the Indian people. "We're sending critical oxygen and O2 related supplies, N95 masks, & rapid diagnostic testing kits to India w/more on the way soon," it tweeted. (With inputs from agencies)

US sending more than $100 million in COVID-19 supplies to India: White House

<p>The first shipment of Covid medical supplies from Britain&nbsp;to India, including 100 ventilators and 95 oxygen concentrators, arrived early Tuesday, the foreign ministry said.</p>

<p>Foreign ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi tweeted photos of the equipment being unloaded from a German Lufthansa aircraft in New Delhi, calling it "international cooperation at work".</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">International cooperation at work! Appreciate the shipment of vital medical supplies from 🇬🇧 including 100 ventilators &amp; 95 oxygen concentrators that arrived early this morning. <a href="https://t.co/MBZFwSn4cH">pic.twitter.com/MBZFwSn4cH</a></p>
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1386859579816828931?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>Britain, one of several countries to announce sending help as India's health care system buckles under a huge surge in coronavirus cases, is despatching more than 600 pieces of vital medical equipment.</p>

<p>In total, nine airline container loads of supplies, including 495 oxygen concentrators, 120 non-invasive ventilators and 20 manual ventilators, will be sent this week, according to the British High Commission in New Delhi.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The first shipment of Covid medical supplies from Britain to India, including 100 ventilators and 95 oxygen concentrators, arrived early Tuesday, the foreign ministry said.

The first shipment of Covid medical supplies from Britain to India, including 100 ventilators and 95 oxygen concentrators, arrived early Tuesday, the foreign ministry said. Foreign ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi tweeted photos of the equipment being unloaded from a German Lufthansa aircraft in New Delhi, calling it "international cooperation at work". International cooperation at work! Appreciate the shipment of vital medical supplies from 🇬🇧 including 100 ventilators & 95 oxygen concentrators that arrived early this morning. pic.twitter.com/MBZFwSn4cH — Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) April 27, 2021 × Britain, one of several countries to announce sending help as India's health care system buckles under a huge surge in coronavirus cases, is despatching more than 600 pieces of vital medical equipment. In total, nine airline container loads of supplies, including 495 oxygen concentrators, 120 non-invasive ventilators and 20 manual ventilators, will be sent this week, according to the British High Commission in New Delhi. (With inputs from agencies)

First shipment of UK coronavirus medical aid arrives in India

<p>In a show of solidarity, CEOs of some 40 top American companies have come together to create a global task force to mobilise resources to help India fight the battle against COVID-19.</p>

<p>A collective initiative of the US-India Business Council of the US Chambers of Commerce, and the US-India Strategic and Partnership Forum and Business Roundtable, the task force during its meeting here on Monday committed to get 20,000 oxygen concentrators to India in the next few weeks.</p>

<p><strong>Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/google-microsofts-indian-american-ceos-pledge-support-in-indias-fight-against-covid-19-380513" hreflang="en">Google, Microsoft's Indian-American CEOs pledge support in India's fight against COVID-19</a></strong></p>

<p>The new US public-private partnership to provide India critical medical supplies, vaccines, oxygen, and other life-saving assistance amid an unprecedented surge in coronavirus cases is called the Global Task Force on Pandemic Response: Mobilising for India.</p>

<p>The first-of-its-kind country-specific global task force to address a public health crisis in another country was addressed by US Secretary of State Tony Blinken.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Productive conversation with <a href="https://twitter.com/USIBC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USIBC</a> today on how the United States and India can leverage the expertise and capabilities of the U.S. private sector as we urgently work toward solutions for India's COVID-19 crisis.</p>
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecBlinken/status/1386814848139399169?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>The conversation showed how the United States and India can leverage the expertise and capabilities of the US private sector towards solutions for India's COVID-19 crisis, Blinken said in a tweet.</p>

<p>US&nbsp;Representative Ro Khanna, Democratic vice chair of the Congressional Caucus on&nbsp;India said&nbsp;that&nbsp;Indian-American billionaire and Sun Microsystems co-founder Vinod Khosla and other&nbsp;Indian-American tech executives at Google, IBM and Microsoft are working closely with the bipartisan Congressional Caucus on&nbsp;India.</p>

<p>The group is trying to match&nbsp;Indian hospitals and other facilities with supplies of oxygen and other urgently needed medical equipment, and pushing the White House to do more for&nbsp;India, the world's largest democracy, as a surge in infections overwhelms hospitals.</p>

<p>On Twitter, Khosla offered to fund the bulk import of oxygen and other supplies to&nbsp;India. Khanna said Khosla has offered to underwrite the initiative.</p>

<p>Google said&nbsp;on Monday it was donating another $18 million in&nbsp;India&nbsp;for victims and medical supplies, and confirmed chief executive Sundar Pichai was personally donating $700,000 to UNICEF's&nbsp;India&nbsp;response.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Indian immigrants and their offspring, some with deep pockets, are a powerful political force in the United States, and dozens of&nbsp;Indian Americans have roles in the Biden administration. Demographers estimate there are close to 4 million people of&nbsp;Indian descent in the United States.</p>

<p>The United States has faced criticism in&nbsp;India&nbsp;where local vaccine makers struggled to buy raw materials from U.S. suppliers. Administration officials insist there is no export ban in place, although the US&nbsp;Defence Production Act allows the government to give preference to U.S. manufacturers.</p>

<p>The&nbsp;Indian-American caucus is meeting with the&nbsp;Indian ambassador this week to see what else can be done to speed distribution of unused AstraZeneca vaccines and other supplies to&nbsp;India, Khanna said.</p>

<p>It has been pushing the White House to do more, Khanna said.</p>

<p>"The administration's initial response has been very encouraging, but the hope is that they will continue by releasing the AstraZeneca vaccines," Khanna said.</p>

<p>The White House on Monday said it would share up to 60 million doses of AstraZeneca Plc's coronavirus vaccine with other countries as soon as the next few weeks.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


In a show of solidarity, CEOs of some 40 top American companies have come together to create a global task force to mobilise resources to help India fight the battle against COVID-19.

In a show of solidarity, CEOs of some 40 top American companies have come together to create a global task force to mobilise resources to help India fight the battle against COVID-19. A collective initiative of the US-India Business Council of the US Chambers of Commerce, and the US-India Strategic and Partnership Forum and Business Roundtable, the task force during its meeting here on Monday committed to get 20,000 oxygen concentrators to India in the next few weeks. Also read| Google, Microsoft's Indian-American CEOs pledge support in India's fight against COVID-19 The new US public-private partnership to provide India critical medical supplies, vaccines, oxygen, and other life-saving assistance amid an unprecedented surge in coronavirus cases is called the Global Task Force on Pandemic Response: Mobilising for India. The first-of-its-kind country-specific global task force to address a public health crisis in another country was addressed by US Secretary of State Tony Blinken. Productive conversation with @USIBC today on how the United States and India can leverage the expertise and capabilities of the U.S. private sector as we urgently work toward solutions for India's COVID-19 crisis. — Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) April 26, 2021 × The conversation showed how the United States and India can leverage the expertise and capabilities of the US private sector towards solutions for India's COVID-19 crisis, Blinken said in a tweet. US Representative Ro Khanna, Democratic vice chair of the Congressional Caucus on India said that Indian-American billionaire and Sun Microsystems co-founder Vinod Khosla and other Indian-American tech executives at Google, IBM and Microsoft are working closely with the bipartisan Congressional Caucus on India. The group is trying to match Indian hospitals and other facilities with supplies of oxygen and other urgently needed medical equipment, and pushing the White House to do more for India, the world's largest democracy, as a surge in infections overwhelms hospitals. On Twitter, Khosla offered to fund the bulk import of oxygen and other supplies to India. Khanna said Khosla has offered to underwrite the initiative. Google said on Monday it was donating another $18 million in India for victims and medical supplies, and confirmed chief executive Sundar Pichai was personally donating $700,000 to UNICEF's India response. Indian immigrants and their offspring, some with deep pockets, are a powerful political force in the United States, and dozens of Indian Americans have roles in the Biden administration. Demographers estimate there are close to 4 million people of Indian descent in the United States. The United States has faced criticism in India where local vaccine makers struggled to buy raw materials from U.S. suppliers. Administration officials insist there is no export ban in place, although the US Defence Production Act allows the government to give preference to U.S. manufacturers. The Indian-American caucus is meeting with the Indian ambassador this week to see what else can be done to speed distribution of unused AstraZeneca vaccines and other supplies to India, Khanna said. It has been pushing the White House to do more, Khanna said. "The administration's initial response has been very encouraging, but the hope is that they will continue by releasing the AstraZeneca vaccines," Khanna said. The White House on Monday said it would share up to 60 million doses of AstraZeneca Plc's coronavirus vaccine with other countries as soon as the next few weeks. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian Americans in US Congress, tech organise COVID-19 aid to India