Raising Donations for a Personal Response to the Covid-19 Crisis in India
India is suffering from a crisis of unimaginable proportions due to rapid spread of the mutated Covid-19 virus. The explosion in infection rate caused by this second wave was not anticipated by anyone and has caused the healthcare system to be overwhelmed. The situation is much worse than what we experienced in the early stages of the crisis in the US, which in itself was tragic. As we are watching the tragedy unfold we felt that we should do our own bit to respond and support folks in the underserved communities. We are choosing to meet the immediate needs of people via/working through established organizations that have demonstrated very strong impact.
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Please also share to your network and staff members who may wish to do small or large donations as well.
We will make sure that 100% of the funds are remitted to the preferred causes.
National Community Investment Fund is a nonprofit 501 (c) (4) trust. Contributions to NCIF are not tax deductible.
If you have an interest tax deductible contributions, we can direct you to US based fiscal agent for a direct contribution. Contact us.
Looking to donate via ACH? Click here to send us a message.
Please send any questions to: Saurabh Narain, President and CEO, National Community Investment Fund
Stacey Gardner, Executive Assistant to the President and CEO
American Indian Foundation
Support Export of Oxygen Concentrators
Oxygen is critically required to treat patients affected with COVID, many of whom require hospitalization due to fluctuating oxygen levels. However, there is a severe shortage of oxygen availability across hospitals in India. Oxygen concentrators are alternate devices to oxygen cylinders – while cylinders contain a finite amount of oxygen supply, a concentrator recycles oxygen from the air and delivers it to the patient. They can be used to manage patient requirements without looking for external sources of oxygen as well as treat outpatients, reducing the load on hospital beds and easing the stress faced by patients.
The American India Foundation is one of the best organizations working in the nonprofit sector in India since 2001. It has raised approximately $20 million as part of its Covid-19 response and is procuring/export oxygen concentrators and other equipment to India.
The landed cost of a 5 LPM oxygen concentrator is less than $1,000 per unit.
Support transportation of patients to hospital
Sakha is a social enterprise and a taxi company, owned by and run by women, set up to transport women in India. They recruit women drivers from the slums and low-income households, break social barriers and create confidence among these women by offering employment as cab drivers or as drivers-on-hire.
We are aware of stories where people cannot transport infirm patients to the hospitals in a timely manner. They use public transportation, three wheelers and cars but many drivers would not even transport a patient who has tested positive.
Recognizing the current need, Sakha recently launched a program to transport patients for testing or medical treatment – while all drivers are equipped with PPE and have installed shields in the cars, these women drivers are putting themselves at risk to help patients.
The women drivers are supporting their families now as others in their families lose jobs. The women drivers are making sure that their families are able to access health care and education, without resorting to fresh loans. Sakha women drivers are able to do this with dignity and a sense of pride. Your support will help not just one person but the whole family behind that ride.
Cost (including sanitization) of one trip for a private transport for a 2–3-hour trip is $50.
Transforming Rural India Foundation
Support health systems in rural India
The virus is spreading from the urban cities to rural india that has fewer healthcare facilities. Three key issues need immediate attention (a) Grassroot Community level disease surveillance and action as the disease spreads to remote rural areas (b) Strengthen Primary and secondary healthcare facilities - especially around Oxygen availability and (c) Accelerating the Vaccination among poor and vulnerable communities.
Transforming Rural India Foundation has deep presence with both communities and government systems at federal, state and district levels in MP, Chhattisgarh, UP and Jharkhand - where the pandemic is spreading very fast. The founders of TRIF - Anirban Ghose and Anish Kumar - are thought leaders and dedicated professionals who have committed their lives to rural development, transformation, and empowerment of the most marginalized communities in India.