CEOs of 40 U.S. companies create global task force to help India fight COVID-19

In a present of solidarity, the CEOs of about 40 high American companies have come collectively to create a first-of-its-kind country-specific global task force to mobilise assets and coordinate efforts to help India fight the battle in opposition to COVID-19.

Coronavirus updates — April 27, 2021

A collective initiative of the U.S.-India Business Council of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the U.S.-India Strategic and Partnership Forum and Business Roundtable, the task force throughout its assembly in Washington on April 26 dedicated to get 20,000 oxygen concentrators to India within the subsequent few weeks, Deloitte CEO Punit Renjen informed PTI.

The new U.S. public-private partnership to present India crucial medical provides, vaccines, oxygen and different life-saving help amid an unprecedented surge in coronavirus circumstances is named the ‘Global Task Force on Pandemic Response: Mobilising for India’.

The first-of-its-kind country-specific global task force to handle a public well being disaster in a foreign country was addressed by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The dialog confirmed how the United States and India can leverage the experience and capabilities of the U.S. non-public sector in direction of options for India’s COVID-19 disaster, Mr. Blinken stated in a tweet.

Also learn: Calls develop for U.S. to help India with spare COVID-19 vaccines

“A number of American companies have come together over the weekend. We are focused on doing our very best to help in any way that we possibly can. As the Prime Minister said, we were very confident, our spirits were up after successfully tackling the first wave, but this storm has shaken the nation. It is up to us to help in any way possible,” Mr. Renjen stated in response to a query.

Observing that the primary situation is round oxygen and its concentrators, Mr. Renjen stated they’ve commitments to get 20,000 oxygen concentrators to India within the subsequent few weeks.

The first 1,000 will arrive within the center of this week, he stated, including that by May 5, they anticipate one other 11,000 oxygen concentrators to attain the nation.

“Our goal is to get 25,000, and maybe even a number higher than that,” he added.

The second situation is to take a look at oxygen cylinders with 10-litre and 45-litre capability and to get different provides like monitoring kits, Mr. Renjen stated.

Also learn: Indian authorities didn’t request vaccines from the U.S.

“I am very pleased with the fact that these companies have come together. We’re working with the USISPF, as well as the USIBC … and with the Business Roundtable to coordinate this effort to help India in any way that that is required,” he stated.

Welcoming the decision between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden and the choice of the U.S. to urgently ship provides to India, the Deloitte CEO reiterated that the 2 international locations are pure allies.

“I’m very heartened by the fact that the U.S. government is going to step up and do its part,” he stated.

The fight in opposition to COVID-19 is private for Mr. Renjen as a number of relations of Mr. Renjen, who comes from Rohtak, Haryana have contracted the illness.

Around 2,000 of Deloitte’s staff in India have been contaminated, he stated.

Also learn: Narendra Modi speaks to Joe Biden over cellphone amid surge in circumstances

“We are facilitating individuals getting the vaccines. We are providing them medical assistance, home testing kits. This is being consistently done by all entities that have big footprints in India. That is really important to do,” Mr. Renjen stated.

“We will do everything on our part to take care of our employees, like I believe every one of the multinationals that were on the call with me are committed to doing. But they have really stepped up,” he stated.

“This is a real kudos to Indian talent,” Mr. Renjen stated.

The task force additionally includes representations from retail sector, e-commerce, pharmaceutical, know-how trade and huge manufacturing entities.

“This global crisis requires a global response, and the American business community could not be better positioned, or more determined, to help lead the way,” stated Suzanne Clark, president and chief govt officer of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

“It was wonderful to see everybody focused on making sure that they do their part, that they contribute. Out of that discussion, the first step that we came up with was these oxygen concentrators,” Mr. Renjen stated.

“Our point to the U.S. government is to provide assistance [to India], wherever it’s requested,” he added.

These U.S. companies are coordinating with the Indian ambassador to the U.S., Taranjit Singh Sandhu.

“Earlier in the week, he gave us the list of items that are of critical need,” Mr. Renjen stated.

The checklist consists of oxygen concentrators, oxygen mills, two crucial medicines that he needed to see if the U.S. authorities can launch, monitoring kits, and inspiring the U.S. authorities to ease provide of crucial supplies for vaccines.

Responding to a query, Mr. Renjen exuded confidence that India would overcome this.

“This too shall pass. I am very confident in my Indian brothers and sisters; we will overcome this,” he stated.

“I don’t think we need to panic. We listen to the scientists and listen to the people that are managing this in the country. I think we just have to navigate through it. We will have two or three weeks of very difficult times.

“It is a tragic situation, particularly for people that have COVID-19 or who have lost loved ones. My heart goes out to them, but we are going to do our part,” Mr. Renjen stated.