Indiaspora, a nonprofit community of global Indian diaspora leaders, has raised USD one million toward COVID-19 relief efforts in India within the last 48 hours, an organization official said.  

The fund raised will address three major areas of COVID-19 relief on the ground - the creation of urgently needed COVID care centers and makeshift hospitals through nonprofit WISH Foundation; direct cash transfer to families who have lost a primary earning member through nonprofit giving platform GiveIndia; and food relief and livelihood assistance for migrant workers and other underserved populations through nonprofits Goonj and Jan Sahas.

“We are proud of our community’s response. The outpouring of support from the Indian diaspora has been immediate and overwhelming,” said Sanjeev Joshipura, Executive Director of Indiaspora.

The organization will aim to double the impact of the donations by offering to match funds during a virtual event, “Help India Breathe it is holding on Saturday.

The event will take place from 1PM-3PM PT / 4PM-6PM ET and bring together several powerful voices from the Indian and The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) community, including Lilly Singh, Deepak Chopra, Dhar Mann, Payal Kadakia, Kunal Nayyar, Humble the Poet, Jay Sean, Radhanath Swami, Janina Gavankar, Vishen Lakhiani and Deepica Mutyala.

“We hope Saturday’s event will continue to raise awareness and provide another opportunity for all of us to give. This has the potential to serve as a launchpad for additional and much-needed help for relief efforts in India,” said Joshipura.

"I am heartbroken by the deepening COVID crisis in India. Urgent action is needed to help those suffering,” said Indiaspora Founders Circle member Reshma Kewalramani, Chief Executive Officer and President at Vertex, a global biotechnology company, who contributed toward the campaign.

“We are devastated by the news of the rising tragedies in India. They urgently need our help, and we are so grateful to our friends, communities and audiences that will participate in making a difference this weekend. We know you’ll show up,” said best-selling author, award-winning storyteller and podcast host and former monk Jay Shetty, who has put together the two-hour event, which will be livestreamed on his and Indiaspora’s Facebook and YouTube pages.

Indiaspora is a nonprofit community of powerful global Indian leaders from diverse backgrounds and professions who are committed to inspiring the diaspora to be a force for positive impact by providing a platform to collaborate, engage, and catalyze social change.

 (SAM)