As India’s COVID crisis reaches deadly levels, Indian BTS fans raised more than $37000 AUD within 24 hours for the country’s relief efforts.

As the Coronavirus crisis reaches lethal levels in India, Indian BTS fans banded together over the weekend to raise funds to help organizations across the country. With donations from over 2400 fans, the initiative raised more than 2 million rupees (approximately $37k AUD) in less than 24 hours. 

The fundraiser, started on the crowdfunding platform Milaap, aims at helping COVID-19 relief initiatives in India, particularly causes that ensure supplies of free oxygen cylinders, medical supplies, community kitchen initiatives, and food/essential kits for the homeless and patients quarantining at home. 

Currently, the fundraiser is targeting the states of Maharashtra and Delhi, two of the worst hit areas in India, with plans to expand to other parts soon. 

Since the beginning of April, all eyes have turned towards India as it battles a deadly second wave of Coronavirus infections. In the past 24 hours, the country registered another 323,000 new cases, with the seven-day average teetering around 330,000 cases. 

The country’s health infrastructure has been collapsing under the weight of growing cases, with severe shortages of oxygen, ventilators, hospital beds and vaccines cropping up all over. With hospitals and emergency services overrun, India has seen a surge of support from online initiatives and private chat groups which have transformed into hubs for verified information on resources and help.  

India’s government has also come under fire for mismanaging and letting the crisis get out of control by allowing public events such as election rallies and the Kumbh Mela (often considered the “world’s largest congregation of religious pilgrims”, with a record attendance of up to 120 million people attending in 2013) continue without proper safety measures. 

For more on this topic, head over to the Asia Pop Observer.

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