Big tech firms commit to additional support for India's fight against Covid

Amazon's business in Europe has committed $2.5 mn to support people in India impacted by the Covid-19 crisis, by purchasing and transporting medical supplies

Big technology companies are leveraging resources to support employees and communities amid the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
 
Amazon’s business in Europe has committed $2.5 million to support people in India impacted by the Covid-19 crisis, by purchasing and transporting medical supplies.
 
The e-commerce and tech company is using its global logistics network to purchase, airlift and deliver some of the critical medical equipment identified by the Government of India and local charities.
 

Amazon will deliver oxygen concentrators from Italy, ventilators from the UK, and nebulisers and inhalation devices from Germany. The products will be provided to Amazon frontline workers and local charities to help those infected with Covid-19 across multiple cities in India, thereby supporting the capacity of hospitals, medical facilities and public institutions.

 
This support is in addition to 100 ventilators worth $3.8 million, which have already been procured through Amazon's global resources in the US as part of the company's commitment to helping India fight the Covid-19 pandemic. Amazon India is working closely with the Indian Red Cross, under guidance from Niti Aayog and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, who are defining the distribution plan for these ventilators.
 
Accenture has made a fresh pledge of Rs 185 crore for pandemic relief as it separately invests in its people and communities.
 
The local and global efforts already underway include providing ventilators, oxygen concentrators, and medical kits. Accenture is providing Covid-19 support kits and PPE (personal protective equipment) kits to frontline healthcare workers and providing food and Covid-19 at-home care kits to unemployed and poor people.

 
“We are also engaging with the government to support vaccination camps and provide local language call-centre support,” said Rekha M Menon, chairperson and senior managing director of Accenture in India and chairperson -Nasscom.  “Additionally, we will be augmenting existing hospitals with beds and ICUs and setting up portable hospitals.”
 
To support its more than 200,000 people and their families in India, Accenture has built several resources including 24/7 telemedicine, care-at-home services, enhanced insurance coverage, virtual childcare, mental health support, and support for testing and vaccinations. It has also created leave options for Care Givers. “Our teams continue to work around the clock to find additional ways to support our people,” said Menon.

 
Across the globe, people at Accenture have expressed their support and are getting involved. In addition to their time, they are also donating funds, and Accenture will match 100 per cent of the people’s contributions for Covid-19 relief efforts.
 
“Sharing gratitude for our ONE Accenture family - the 537,000 people standing with us every day,” said Menon. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of all who have lost their lives, and the many more who continue to battle the Covid-19 pandemic.”