Saturday, April 4, 2020

Ingush Civil Society Groups Buy Masks for Hospitals, Food and Medicine for the Needy


Paul Goble

            Staunton, April 1 – With the same spontaneity and  discipline they have shown in organizing protests, Ingush civil society, in response to the coronavirus, have organized to purchase masks, gowns and other medical needs for the republic’s hospitals and food and medicine for the poor or those who cannot leave their homes even to shop.

            Now that the first confirmed case of a coronavirus infection in Ingushetia has been confirmed and the republic has instituted a stay-at-home regime to prevent the spread of infection, the Tesham Foundation has collected money and organized the purchase of gowns and protective masks for hospital workers (kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/347816/).

            The republic authorities say they do not face any shortages as yet but acknowledge that if the infection spreads all help will be welcomes. Some doctors and hospitals are already turning to the Foundation for help. So far, it has collected more than 500,000 rubles (7,000 US dollars) and used contacts with doctors and firms within the republic and beyond to acquire these goods.

            So far, they have purchased and delivered 1,000 masks and are using social media both to continue to collect money and to find new sources. Many of the traditional suppliers of such goods are already sold out and say they won’t be able to supply Ingushetia with anything for weeks if not months.

            At the same time, this foundation and others are collecting money to purchase food and medicines for the indigent and to deliver these things of first necessity to the elderly and ill who are not able to go to stores on their own.  This effort is taking on a life of its own, and groups in neighbors have emerged to take care of their own. Muslim leaders are supporting this effort.

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