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Indians in UK raise funds to fight COVID-19
Updated 02:07, 28-Apr-2021
Nawied Jabarkhyl in London
Europe;UK
02:28

Members of the Indian diaspora across the UK have been raising funds to support India in its fight against COVID-19.

 

The Asian country is grappling with a deadly wave of the virus, with 320,000 cases recorded on Tuesday - the sixth day in a row the figure has been over 300,000.

 

At the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in London's, a national fundraising effort has raised around $140,000 in "the past few days." 

 

"What happens in India impacts us here because you know, we are connected. We have family and friends - personally, I lost a friend," said Tarun Patel, organizer of the campaign at the temple in Neasden.

 

The first shipment of international aid has been sent to India from the UK, where the country's diaspora makes up almost 1.8 million people.

 

The 200 pieces of equipment included 100 ventilators and 95 oxygen concentrators.

 

Other European countries have also pledged aid including France and Germany.

 

The UK's help is largely a symbolic gesture as logistically the virus is ravaging parts of India.

 

With almost a million cases being recorded every three days, the country will need far greater quantities of support.

 

The World Health Organization said it was trying to deliver 4,000 oxygen concentrators as soon as it can.

 

Loved ones impacted

At the temple in London, many of the congregation know people impacted directly by the latest wave of hospitalizations and deaths.

 

Dr. Miraj Patel is a doctor in the UK who knows counterparts affected by supply shortages in India.

 

"I liken it to when we were having our first and second waves and it's just horrible to think that's what they're going through with less resources and more stretched manpower," he told CGTN Europe.

 

Vipula Depala lost a relative because of the virus last week: "I have been living here for 35 years and we have so much of a problem in India right now. So many of our caste people have died so we're praying for them to get help. We see everything, it's really bad.

 

"People are donating funds which are then being sent across to India and translated into medical provisions which are much needed in these crisis times," said Tarun Patel, the organizer.

 

He said similar fund-raising campaigns had been set up in recent days for the congregation's members in the U.S., East Africa and Europe - including Antwerp in Belgium and the French capital Paris.

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