The COVID-19 situation in India is dire and we urgently need your help. Dear Friends + Colleagues, I am writing on behalf of CorStone to ask for your urgent financial support in response to the current COVID-19 surge in India. As you are no doubt aware, the situation in India is horrific. Over 350,000 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the last 24 hours alone, though media reports indicate the true number is likely 4-5 times higher, with over 1 million new infections per day. Hospitals have run out of beds, there is an extreme shortage of oxygen, and basic items such as personal protective equipment (PPE), thermometers, and oximeters are in short supply. The many photos posted on social media of mass cremations reflect a devastating humanitarian disaster. The state of Bihar, one of India’s poorest states with a population of 100 million, has been hit very hard. Bihar is primarily a rural state, with millions of migrant workers. The situation, already bad, is expected to worsen over the next few weeks as workers continue to return home from cities across the country in an effort to escape the outbreak, but in many cases bringing the virus home with them. CorStone has been working in India since 2009, and in Bihar since 2012. We have nearly 60 employees in Bihar, many of whom, along with their family members are currently suffering from the virus. We have close relations with the state ministries of Health and Education. In consultation with the Bihar health department, CorStone has initiated a targeted relief effort at three high-need hospitals, each of which has been selected due to a large uptick in patients and a shortage of basic supplies. In partnership with the hospitals we have determined that our relief effort will be two-pronged: First, we are providing 600 high-quality oximeters for distribution directly to Frontline Health Workers, known locally as ASHAs. ASHAs, all of whom are women, are a critical component of the community health system, providing basic healthcare to millions of villagers across the state. Each ASHA cares for 1,000 villagers. Each of the 600 ASHAs we are supporting will be provided 1 oximeter, thus enabling much-needed oxygen readings for up to 600,000 villagers in all. Second, we are providing take-home kits (1,000 per hospital) for distribution to patients. In all this includes 15,000 masks, 3,000 bottles of hand sanitizer, 3,000 thermometers, and 3,000 electrolyte sachets for dehydration. We expect 100% of supplies to reach the hospitals no later than Monday, May 3rd. We seek to urgently raise US$20,000 in support of this effort. Please know that 100% of your donation will be allocated to the purchase and immediate distribution of these supplies. All CorStone personnel involved are volunteering their time. Please also be assured that we know well the medical officers in charge of each of the hospitals to which we are contributing. We are fully confident that all supplies will reach intended recipients. I would greatly appreciate it if you would consider giving what you can—and forwarding this letter to others in your network who might be interested to support this cause. To make a secure, tax-deductible donation, click the button below. Donate Now | India COVID Relief My heartfelt appreciation for your consideration and support. Please feel free to reach out to me personally at stevel@corstone.org with any questions or concerns. Steve Leventhal | CorStone CEO