BALLARAT Friends of India Network president Dr Sanjay Sharma has described the COVID-19 situation in India as an \u201cepic human catastrophe…tearing\u201d across the country.<\/p>\n
In partnership with SEWA International Australia, the Network is appealing to the community to help them raise funds to purchase at least 30 oxygen concentrators for rural areas in dire need of resources to combat the pandemic.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a sincere appeal to you to help this unprecedented crisis that has befallen India. I feel it\u2019s our moral responsibility to do the best we can to help,\u201d Dr Sharma said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s heartbreaking to see health resources being overwhelmed and stretched beyond any imagination.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have heard so many friends, colleagues and teachers dying in the last couple of weeks. I\u2019ve heard authorities being forced to create makeshift crematoriums. It\u2019s absolutely gut wrenching.\u201d<\/p>\n
FIN annually fundraises in support of the Ballarat Base Hospital, and broader Ballarat Health Services, but Dr Sharma said it\u2019s time for the Network to prioritise their motherland which is in desperate need.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe nation is gasping for oxygen, so our donations to buy oxygen concentrators may help save some lives.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe would like to request the help of our friends that we have made over the last 20 years in this town that we now call home,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn a town of 100,000 people, I sincerely hope that we can collect more than $100,000. Please come forward and lend your support to this noble cause. \u201c<\/p>\n
SEWA International Australia is a registered charity run volunteers. All money raised will fund COVID-19 relief.<\/p>\n