UNITED NATIONS, THE “tragic” COVID-19 situation in India should raise the alarm bells for “all of us” and there will be reverberations across the region and the world in terms of virus-related deaths, virus mutations and supply delays unless the world steps up and helps the country now, the head of the UN children’s agency has said. United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has sent additional critical lifesaving supplies to India, including 2 million face shields, 2,00,000 surgical masks.

 

“The tragic situation in India should raise alarm bells for all of us,” UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore said on Tuesday. “Unless the world steps up and helps India now, there will be reverberations across the region and the world in terms of virus-related deaths, virus mutations and supply delays.” India is in the midst of a raging second wave of COVID-19 and is recording over 3,50,000 daily coronavirus infections and over 3,000 deaths.

 

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), India has a total of 20.6 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and over 2,26,000 deaths. Countries across South Asia are witnessing rises in infections, with India accounting for over 90 per cent of both cases and deaths in the region, according to the World Health Organisation. India also accounted for 46 per cent of global cases and 25 per cent of global deaths reported in the past week, WHO added. UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia George Laryea-Adjei said in a statement that urgent action and steadfast leadership are indispensable to stop the catastrophe.

 

“Governments must do everything within their power to stop the devastation, and partners that can send assistance must do so immediately. The international community must step up without delay,” Laryea-Adjei said. “This is not just a moral imperative. The deadly new surge in South Asia threatens us all. It has the potential to reverse hard-earned global gains against the pandemic if not halted as soon as possible,” Laryea-Adjei added.