Thomas Schäfer, ŠKODA AUTO CEO says: “Our donation is now on its way to India. I would like to thank all those involved who have actively helped with the planning, organisation and implementation of this initiative. We are delivering medical equipment, liquid oxygen tanks and an oxygen generator to help effectively the people in need. We remain concerned about the humanitarian situation in India. Every day we exchange information with our Indian friends there and hope that the circumstances will improve soon.”
The first part of the donations in-kind have already been shipped and are on their way to their destination, where the Indian Red Cross will distribute them quickly to clinics and aid organisations. The carmaker is in total sending items including medical equipment, an oxygen generator and liquid oxygen tanks. ŠKODA AUTO’s purchasing and logistics departments worked under high pressure to procure the relief supplies and send them to the crisis region as quickly as possible, despite the difficult conditions caused by the pandemic.
Gurpratap Boparai, Managing Director of ŠKODA AUTO Volkswagen India Private Limited (ŠAVWIPL) emphasises: “The current development of the coronavirus pandemic poses immense challenges for the people in our country. The situation in the medical facilities, in particular, is critical and they need all the help available. The generous in-kind and cash donations from our friends at ŠKODA AUTO will bring relief to the sick and relief workers.”
The rapid increase in the number of infections has led to a shortage in the availability of hospital beds, medical oxygen as well as medicines and has pushed the healthcare system to its limits. As a local employer in the region, ŠKODA AUTO bears a social responsibility in India. In cooperation with the Volkswagen Group, the Czech car manufacturer has therefore made around one million euros available to improve medical care in the region affected by the pandemic in the form of relief supplies and a cash donation to the German Red Cross.
ŠKODA AUTO is responsible for the Volkswagen Group’s activities on the Indian market and has a long-standing relationship of trust with local partners.