Walmart Foundation is donating Rs 148.2 million to support various NGOs in India
Global retail giant Walmart Inc announced its support to leverage resources for India’s battle against the second wave of COVID-19. According to a recent statement by Walmart on Friday, April 30, the Walmart Foundation along with Flipkart, PhonePe will collaborate to counter the medical-grade oxygen shortage and support the nationwide vaccination drive. Walmart will donate 20 oxygen-generating plants and 20 cryogenic containers for oxygen storage and transportation, and over 3,000 oxygen concentrators and 500 oxygen cylinders for delivering oxygen therapy for the treatment of patients.
The medical equipment will be sourced globally and donated to the hospitals and non-governmental organisations in India for distribution. Walmart and the Walmart Foundation will also fund extra 2,500 oxygen concentrators as part of the U.S-India Business Council and the U.S-India Strategic Partnership Forum’s joint relief effort.
The Walmart Foundation is donating Rs 14.82 crore to support various non-governmental organisations in India and a total of Rs 7.41 crore will be allocated through the Walmart Foundation Disaster Relief Fund. The other amount – Rs 7.41 crore will be allocated to the GIVE Foundation Inc to assist GiveIndia’s COVID response fund. This will aid the physical infrastructure and equipment for the healthcare industry in India, prioritizing the most vulnerable communities.
“We feel called to bring our resources to bear in times of crisis, and this moment is no different. We are working hard to combine Walmart’s global capabilities and Flipkart’s distribution network to ensure vital oxygen and supplies are made available to those who need them most. Our hearts are with everyone in India,” said Doug McMillon, President and CEO of Walmart Inc.
Meanwhile, Indian e-commerce major Flipkart – acquired by Walmart in 2018, is partnering with GiveIndia to raise funds to provide critical medical supplies such as oxygen, PPE kits, hand sanitizers, etc for healthcare workers in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore.
Additionally, Walmart Canada will support relief efforts through the Canadian Red Cross India COVID-19 Response Appeal, to fund ambulance and transport services for patients, quarantine isolation centers, and other such