India’s fight to contain COVID-19 shows the battle to defeat the pandemic is still far from over – and developing countries are now most at risk says World Vision

SEATTLE (April 27, 2021) — As India’s COVID-19 daily infection rates reach devastating levels, Christian humanitarian organization World Vision today warned that the globe is nowhere near defeating this virus and that some nations are yet to face their worst days.

World Vision has already reached 4.8 million people in India with aid targeted to help the poorest cope with the economic impacts of earlier lockdowns and COVID-19 prevention efforts. But the agency is now warning that an explosion of COVID-19 risks spreading out from hotspots, like Delhi where hospitals have been overwhelmed and run short of oxygen, into poorer populous states where health services are weaker.

Hesitancy, misinformation, and an expected vaccine shortages are also impacting vaccine roll-out efforts and could potentially hamper attempts to deal with the pandemic.

“The recent spike in COVID-19 cases confirms that India is going through one of the toughest phases in the crisis,” said Madhav Bellamkonda, World Vision India’s national director. “It is imperative that people follow government advice and the prevention and vaccine advocacy messages that World Vision India has also been sharing in order to reduce transmission. But the reality of crowded cities, mobility of people not following government mandated precautions, and the emergence of new strains has made the control efforts harder. There is a risk of losing some important gains India has made in the fight against COVID-19.”

World Vision is redoubling efforts to support hospitals, health centers, and communities with personal protective equipment, surgical masks, sanitizer, and continued support for vulnerable families with cash and voucher assistance to ensure they can access food during shutdowns.

The NGO also warns that the world is facing a pandemic that continues to intensify. Globally, cases have now increased for the ninth straight week, with Asia and the Western Pacific seeing the largest rise. There were almost as many cases globally last week as in the first five months of the pandemic. World Vision is closely monitoring countries such as Bolivia, Ecuador, Mexico, Syria, and Papua New Guinea where new spikes in caseloads have been emerging.

About World Vision:
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization conducting relief, development, and advocacy activities in its work with children, families, and their communities in nearly 100 countries to help them reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. For more information, please visit www.WorldVision.org/media-center/ or on Twitter @WorldVisionUSA.