AVIVA India joins hands with Indian red cross society

The Coronavirus or COVID-19 crisis continues toseverely impact communitiesacross the nation. Aviva Life Insurance, (JV between Dabur Invest Corp and Aviva International Holdings Limited),India’s most trusted private life insurance company 2 years running, commits tohelping the Indian Red Cross Society,(IRCS),witha range of protective equipments and relief packages to mitigate the Covid-19 crisis. Through thisinitiative, Aviva India will be reaching out and assisting affected people to combat this disease across 15 states in India that are badly affected by COVID-19 outbreak.

The support to the India Red Cross Society (IRCS) forms part of the £10m pounds committed by the Aviva Group and the Aviva Foundation* so that the global Red Cross movement can ensure those made most vulnerable by the coronavirus outbreak can get the right support at the right time.

In line with this, IRCS is helping Aviva Life Insurance, India to donate various pandemic relief packages to the most affected during this crisis. The relief packages include N-95 masks,gloves, surgical masks, thermal guns, hygiene kits,community kitchen and dry rationsforthe affected communities. The initiative focuses on migrant laborers, tribals, single mothers, senior citizens, persons with disability, children, people living in hard to reach areas, as well as Health Workers, Paramedics, Blood Bank Staff and Red Cross Volunteers.

Trevor Bull, MD & CEO, Aviva India said, “Aviva as a partner in our community stands in solidarity with the nation during these turbulent times, and we are delighted to join hands with theIndian Red Cross and do our bit forSociety by providing vital help to the people who need it the most. We, at Aviva, strongly believe that right now we must focus on looking after one another and working together to fight this pandemic.  We are putting in our best efforts to support our employees and communities around us, so that together we shall all overcome these difficult times soon.”

R K Jain, Secretary General, Indian Red Cross Society said, “We are grateful to Aviva India for their support towards the larger humanitarian and sustainable goals. Through this partnership, we have the opportunity to address the needs of the less privileged and less fortunate sections of the society as well. At Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), we are aiming to create a safe ecosystem and help those who are impacted by Covid-19. IRCS and Aviva together believe that we can help several communities and may the best force be with us to fight and overcome this pandemic.”

Migration is a major concern in and around major cities in India,and the restrictions on movement to return totheir native homes, due to the lockdown, has further escalated the problem of food, medication, hygiene and shelter. IRCS volunteers are addressing their specific needs and are working to provide food parcels, cooked food and dry rations and hygiene kits to the most vulnerable households and migrant laborers in the temporary shelters.

When the nation is facing unprecedented challenges, Aviva India is enabling ICRS to serve, support and protect Health Workers, Paramedics and Red Cross Volunteers, who are working tirelessly to help those in need during these times.

*The Aviva Foundation is administered by Charities Trust under UK charity registration number 327489.