- The country is struggling with a devastating second wave of coronavirus, leading to a lack of essential medical supplies, such as oxygen
- Using crowdfunding site Milaap, the Army raised more than HK$225,000 in 24 hours
BTS fans in India came together to raise money for the country's fight against the second wave of coronavirus. Photo: APBTS fans have taken action to raise funds and fight Covid-19 in India.
Coordinated on the Indian crowdfunding site Milaap, the social media account known as “Covid Relief India by BTS Army” raised over two million rupees (HK$225,059) in 24 hours, with 2,465 supporters donating.
BTS shares their experience with anti-Asian racism
The fundraiser came during the country’s second wave of the coronavirus, as an unprecedented number of cases and deaths push India into a new health crisis, caused by a lack of medical supplies and a new variant of the virus.
A relative of a person who died of Covid-19 is consoled during their cremation in Jammu, India. India’s crematoriums and burial grounds are being overwhelmed by the devastating new surge of infections tearing through the populous country with terrifying speed. Photo: AP
The Army’s charitable efforts focused primarily on supplying oxygen and other medical supplies, as well as food, to those in need. The campaign prioritised the areas of Maharashtra and Delhi, where the Covid-19 situation is the most perilous.
BTS donates US $1 million to Black Lives Matter
According to Johns Hopkins University, as of Monday morning, India has had nearly 17 million cases, with over 192,000 deaths. India has reported over 300,000 positive tests a day for the last week, though there are many concerns that the number of infections is being under-reported.
This isn’t the first time the Army has stepped up; in 2020, another BTS fan account helped raise money for those affected by floods in the Indian state of Assam, and internationally, fans frequently participate in fundraising activities for Syrian refugees and projects to provide clean drinking water in the US.