TEAM SWEDEN STANDS WITH INDIA

Swedish Industry, businesses, agencies and individuals along with Government, support India during Covid-19 surge 

 by Suman Gupta

New Delhi. May, 2021: Team Sweden – which comprises Swedish government, Swedish industry, businesses, and agencies – has joined forces to help India fight the current devastating Covid-19 surge.

According to Ambassador Klas Molin, “The second wave of Covid has hit hard and close to home, sparing no one. It is a humanitarian crisis and requires to be treated that way. We are working closely with partners in India to get an understanding of what is required on-ground. It is heartening to see so many stepping up to the challenge – from Government and large companies to individuals, including the Indian diaspora community in Sweden. Each contributing to make a difference!”

There are approximately 220 Swedish companies present in India which employ close to 200,000 directly and another 2,200,000 indirectly. Like the rest of the country, almost every company has lost employees, or their family members, to Covid.

The Swedish Chamber of Commerce India (SCCI) has launched an initiative under Kraftsamla (which in Swedish means to join forces), to coordinate all efforts being made locally that can broadly be classified under saving lives, livelihood, prevention and building for the future. Swedish companies are involved in strengthening and assisting local healthcare systems via support to local hospitals with medical equipment like ventilators, oxygen concentrators etc, setting up of Covid-care facilities, infrastructure and technical know-how.

“The second wave of Covid-19 in India has been highly virulent and fast spreading, and this can truly overwhelm the best of administrations or healthcare systems anywhere. It is indeed gratifying to see the willingness and coordinated response of the Swedish companies in supporting lives and livelihoods with an outreach to employees, families, and communities. The Swedish companies are engaged in creating Covid Care Centres, bringing Oxygen Concentrators, Vaccination Campaigns and will continue to do more, together with the local administration,” said Mr. Kamal Bali, Managing Director of Volvo India, Chairperson of SCCI.

The Swedish Chamber is also working with issues around livelihood for migrant workers, women and children, as well as mental health and trauma counselling.

Whilst the Chamber manages efforts in India, the Sweden India Business Council (SIBC) in Stockholm is coordinating with headquarters of Swedish businesses. According to Robin Sukhia, Secretary General & President of SIBC, from Sweden, industry will fund medical supplies, distribution, medical care and support to urban and rural India. This will be done through established Indian NGOs such as Pratham, Indian Red Cross Society and Doctors without Borders, among others, via their Swedish or international organisations. This far the total amount raised outside India is 43 MSEK (5.2 MUSD).

“The rapid and substantial response from Swedish industry to the sad situation in India affecting our friends, families and colleagues was notable and encouraging. The companies and their head offices have mounted a great response to support the medical situation,” said Mr Marcus Wallenberg, Chairman of SEB.

The Swedish Government : Sweden has also donated 200 oxygen concentrators to India. Sweden supports the Indian Red Cross through IFCR (International Federation of Red Cross). The current Swedish support to IFCR is 70 million SEK.

Sweden is the fourth largest contributor to the international vaccine initiative COVAX and has announced an additional support of 1 million doses of the vaccine to COVAX. India is eligible to take part in COVAX.