The COVID-19 fund will be used to support individuals and families in the United States. Sewa International has been running COVID-19 (coronavirus) helplines in the United States since late February. Supported by a large group of committed volunteers, Sewa has risen to the occasion rapidly, assembling more than 3,000 volunteers in 43 chapters within a month and helping close the gap on many critical needs such as the crippling shortage of masks, personal protective equipment (PPE), sanitisers as well as providing meals and groceries to the needy. Local businesses and medical professionals are offering their services to the community through Sewa International.
Sewa International has distributed more than 625,000 masks, 63,000 hot meals and food kits, donated more than $100,000 to food pantries, and engaged and coordinated the work of more than 200 professionals including doctors, attorneys, financial and employment specialists to offer more than 90 webinars to provide expert guidance. Nearly 1,000 Sewa volunteers are engaged in making homemade masks. Sewa International is also running 10 helplines in different metropolitan areas to provide non-medical advice and assistance. Sewa has also helped hundreds of stranded international students and travelers so far, coordinating the work with foreign consulates.

The COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund is open to donations from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other organizations. For corporate, institutional, and foundation donations, please contact info@sewausa.org

Sewa International is a 501 (c) 3 registered non-profit. All donations made for COVID-19 response to Sewa International are tax deductible. All donations made through Facebook are also tax-deductible.

It is a constantly and fast evolving situation and Sewa International may direct the funds as the situation demands. Currently, we are allocating money for procuring and distributing PPE to Hospitals, Medical Professionals and First Responders, delivering groceries/ food for home-bound seniors, and buying supplies and perosnal protective equipment for staff, volunteers, teachers, and community workers who are involved with the COVID-19 response. Funds are also being spent on case management of a variety of family needs arising as a consequence of the social and economic slowdown, and for operating helplines in 20 major metro areas across the United States.

Some examples of cases that we are currently managing are as follows: 1) A patient with COVID-19 symptoms was guided by volunteer medical professionals on procedures for self-quarantine. The patient's family is in India. We are working with the person's family to keep them calm through this time of high anxiety. 2) A student with COVID-19 symptoms is self-quarantined and feeling unsure about the next steps. We are working with the person and the person's friends offering them information on the next steps and how to maintain calm, correct health precautions, etc. 3) Working with a single senior to help set up online payments for grocery delivery. We are also delivering India groceries to the senior citizen's house. 4) We are procuring and distributing PPE to Hospitals, Medical Professionals and First Responders