India is currently going through a humanitarian catastrophe. According to NPR, the amount of coronavirus cases is now close to 20 million. The country has logged more than 300,000 cases every day for more than 10 days.

India is in great need of oxygen cylinders and/or oxygen concentrators. Oxygen concentrators are devices that help concentrate oxygen from the ambient air. They remove nitrogen and deliver pure oxygen to individuals whose blood oxygen levels readings drop below 93%. Foreign medical missions are not currently going to India as it is too dangerous. Oxygen cylinders and concentrators cannot be shipped from the U.S. since it is dangerous, they can arrive damaged, and may not pass customs due to corruption and black market. Additionally, the need is so immediate that these items are better purchased locally in India. But of course, since the demand is so high, the prices have skyrocketed as well. When catastrophes like these happen, what does The Brigade of Mercy do?

As a reminder, The Brigade of Mercy (BOM) is an impartial, neutral nonprofit that serves people of all races, nationalities, religions, and genders. Our mission is to provide charitable humanitarian relief to the destitute, homeless, orphans, refugees, and victims of war and other calamities. We provide immediate relief to people who have limited or no access to resources to stay alive, safe, and healthy. Our general model is not to provide money, but to provide items that are needed. However, we do make exceptions in case of an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe.

Through our circle of supporters and donors that include medical doctors, we have partnered with a local foundation based in the U.S. which supports a clinic in Hyderabad, India. It happens that my husband’s family is in Hyderabad and knows the clinic in question very well. The clinic is supported financially by U.S. based doctors, including the local foundation BOM is partnering with. All care that is provided at the clinic is free of charge for patients who do not have the means to pay. When providing donations internationally, BOM receives pictures and videos from the people we serve. We have received pictures and other evidence that oxygen cylinders and oxygen concentrators are being provided to the population the clinic serves. In a matter of few days, we have launched a campaign on social media and reached out to our supporters to raise funds for oxygen cylinders and oxygen concentrators. Currently, an oxygen cylinder costs about $350 and an oxygen concentrator costs about $800 for a 5-7 liter device. The prices will probably go higher as days go by.

The response we have received so far is unbelievable and beyond our expectations. Since BOM’s establishment three years ago, we have become a trustworthy organization which people choose to donate to. Our mission is to help people in a time of calamity. We are being tested on unchartered waters, but we have been able to respond promptly and accordingly. We are responding to India like we responded to Lebanon when the Beirut explosion happened, killing and injuring numerous people. We are The Brigade of Mercy and we believe in saving one life at a time.