In view of the current crisis, AMCHAM created a COVID-19 Disaster Management Task Force for members to collaborate and leverage on the collective strengths as partners in the mission to support the Government of India (central and state) through these challenging times. The first meeting was held virtually over Webex on April 29th. Ms. Ranjana Khanna, Director General CEO, AMCHAM gave opening remarks and urged members to work together for good. In his opening remarks, Mr. Ankur Malhotra, Chairman – COVID-19 Disaster Management Task Force, AMCHAM and Head, Corporate Affairs & CSR, Hewlett Packard Enterprise India, shared about HPE’s committee in creating COVID labs and vaccination centers. He encouraged member companies to rethink their CSR plans during this time.

Mr. Sudhendu J. Sinha, Advisor, NITI Aayog, Government of India, addressed participants and queries on cash donations, equipment needs and logistics related concerns. The main urgent requirements highlighted included 1) oxygen cylinders (10 liters and 45 liters) 2) oxygen concentrators 3) Remdesivir 4) Tocilizumab and 5) ventilators and bypass machines. Mr. Mudit Narain, Chief Technical Officer, Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, addressed members on proposals focused on oxygen related needs. From Invest India, Ms. Anusha Bhagat and Mr. Dushyant Thakor, gave a state by state overview of urgent requirements. AMCHAM would hold the next meeting of the task force on May 3rd.