Help ease CV19 induced suffering in Kashmir

We seek to fund raise to help ease the devastating situation in Kashmir, where the medical system has been stifled of the opportunity to develop due to the political unrest since the early 90s. For the last two years, the Kashmir valley has essentially been completely shut down, at the hands of the Indian government. This, followed by the global pandemic, has seen the already sub-par medical system be stretched to its limits.

Covid-19 has already had a devastating impact upon the already broken economy of Kashmir. Poverty has crept up upon a significant section of the population, with the worsening of the political and socio economic conditions. The pandemic has been the proverbial final nail in the coffin for many, with numerous businesses folding and daily wage workers being left to fend for themselves without any sustainable means of generating income for their families. Food and routine medical aid is needed desperately in a significant section of the community.

On 30 April 2021, Kashmir reported its highest spike of nearly 3,500 new Covid-19 cases and many medical facilities in Kashmir have now declared a shortage of vaccinations amidst other medical supplies running out. This includes medication, oxygen cylinders and ventilators.

To put things in perspective, there are an estimated 600 ventilators for a population of over 12 million, and about 1 doctor for every 3000 people. This ratio is three times the recommendation of the World Health Organisation.

We have been trying to raise the funds from within our own community, but the fact is, we can't do it alone.

There are avenues available to get the needed food and medical supplies such as oxygen concentrators/PPE/other medical equipment to the region.

With the funds received, we intend buy the following:

1. Oxygen Concentrators for mildly affected Covid-19 patients who, based on medical advice, can be nursed back to health with the aid of an Oxygen Concentrator. The concentrators I buy will be added to a local community managed pool of concentrators. I will ensure that any concentrators bought with collections here will be annotated : “Sponsored by: The Australian Community”.

Amendment: In light of the fact that I've received a significant proportion of contributions from the USA, the devices purchased will be annotated accordingly. Thank you to all from within and outside Australia.

2. Cooked meals for Covid-19 patients - to be delivered by a local operator on the ground Tiffan Aaw (http://tiffinaaw.com/) to affected families.

Any help that can be provided, no matter how big or small, will be appreciated. All funds received will be accounted for and a project update will be provided regularly.