France will provide "significant oxygen support" to India "in the coming days," the Elysee announced on Sunday.
One way for France to come to the aid of India, the most populous country in the world, which is facing an outbreak of coronavirus cases.
This aid should result in the sending of oxygen respirators which India is sorely lacking, explained a source close to the executive, without giving further details.
Earlier today, the European Union announced it was providing "assistance" to India, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Twitter on Sunday.
The European Civil Protection Mechanism, allowing the different countries to coordinate their aid and deploy resources around the world in the event of a large-scale emergency, will be activated.
Alarmed by the epidemiological situation in India.
We are ready to support.
The EU is pooling resources to respond rapidly to India's request for assistance via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
We stand in full solidarity with the Indian people!
https://t.co/Pv8ezFPdS3
- Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) April 25, 2021
Chancellor Angela Merkel had already said earlier today that her government was preparing to provide emergency aid to India.
"To the Indian people, I want to express my sympathy for the terrible suffering that Covid-19 is inflicting again on the population," she said in a message shared by her spokesperson Steffen Seibert.
“The fight against the pandemic is our common fight.
Germany stands in solidarity with India and is preparing an emergency aid mission, ”added the German leader.
Chancellor #Merkel: Solidarity and support to the people of India.
#CovidIndia pic.twitter.com/FJO5cSAEYb
- Steffen Seibert (@RegSprecher) April 25, 2021
Britain has also announced its support for the most populous country in the world. “Vital medical equipment, including hundreds of oxygen concentrators and respirators, is now on its way from the UK to India,” said UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, to “support efforts to prevent the tragic loss of human life due to this terrible virus ”.
Europe is not alone in wanting to help the second most populous country in the world.
“The United States is very concerned about the severe outbreak of Covid-19 in India.
We are working tirelessly to deploy additional resources and support for our friends and partners in India, who are bravely fighting against the pandemic, ”US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said on Twitter this Sunday morning.
The US is deeply concerned by the severe COVID outbreak in India.
We are working around the clock to deploy more supplies and support to our friends and partners in India as they bravely battle this pandemic.
More very soon.
- Jake Sullivan (@ JakeSullivan46) April 25, 2021
Propagation of the B.1.617 variant
A new world record of 350,000 people infected with the coronavirus in a single day in India was recorded this Sunday.
A new so-called “Indian” variant of SARS-CoV-2, B.1.617, is spreading in many parts of the country.
Nevertheless, "no link has been established at this stage between the emergence of this variant and the recent deterioration of the epidemiological situation in India", indicates Public Health France.
The health agency also points to "the significant distribution of the 20I / 501Y.V1 variant (said to be
British
), which is
believed to
be the majority in most regions", as well as "large gatherings [which] continue to take place".
Read also Indian variant of Covid-19: what you need to know about its possible presence in France
This Indian variant, which could partly escape the immunity conferred by the vaccine or by a previous infection, has already been sporadically identified in several countries, including France, Germany and Greece. Measures to limit the spread on their soil have been taken. In France, since this Saturday, any passenger coming from India must in particular respect 10 days of compulsory quarantine.