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. Over 400 volunteers in 20 major cities in the country are working long hours to ensure a formidable community response at this difficult time. Local businesses and medical professionals are offering their services to the community through Sewa International. Services include procuring and distributing PPE to Hospitals, Medical Professionals and First Responders, offering and delivering free food; help with shopping, transportation, and errands for the elderly; help with travel and visa issues, and family therapist calls for working with children, and in reducing anxiety and fear. Sewa International is also directing people with COVID-19 like symptoms to nearby doctors. In a few cases, Sewa's Family Services volunteers are working with friends and families of the patients who are in self-quarantine or being tested for COVID-19.
Sewa International is planning "virtual organizing meetings" and webinars in various cities to educate community leaders about how they can help during this crisis. Daily informational webinars are being offered on a variety of relevant topics, and Sewa has started social media campaigns to promote safe habits and precautionary methods like "social distancing". In some cities, Sewa International is offering personal protective supplies like masks and gloves to community workers and teachers who have to go out into the community to run essential services.

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