London — The Prince of Wales, Founding Patron of the British Asian Trust, gave his support to the British Asian Trust’s COVID-19 Emergency Appeal on Friday via a specially recorded video message.

Speaking in a video message recorded at Birkhall, heir to the British throne, Prince Charles, said, “Over 400 million daily workers have seen their livelihoods disappear with no form of income and no savings. They and their families now face a fight of survival. The British Asian Trust’s COVID emergency appeal will support those in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka who need it most. With your generosity the British Asian Trust will help those who have nowhere else to turn and offer hope to those who face the most desperate circumstances. With your help we can make a difference.”

South Asia is home to 27 percent of the world’s poorest people with 750 million people surviving on less than $2.50 per day. Now tens of millions of vulnerable families across the region are facing life or death situations because of COVID-19. The lockdown in India has seen mass migration from the cities to villages. Pakistan’s healthcare system is creaking under the pressure. Bangladesh’s densely populated urban areas and refugee camps are a hotbed for the virus. Sri Lankans are facing yet another threat to their way of life.

With many relying on daily income from jobs that now no longer exist, families are in a fight for survival; not knowing where their next meal will come from, caring for elderly and sick family members and trying to keep their children safe.

The British Asian community is at the forefront of dealing with the challenge in the UK – across the NHS through doctors, nurses and other key workers together with community support and now they are looking to stand together with their friends and family in South Asia to ensure that families receive the food, medicine and critical essentials they urgently need to help them survive.

With more than 13 years’ experience of being a trusted partner between the British Asian community and supporting great projects in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the British Asian Trust is uniquely placed to run an Emergency Appeal and ensure that donations have the maximum impact, said a press statement issued by the Trust.

 “Having consulted with our partners on the ground, our support will be provided in the form of cash transfers, food packages, medical equipment including PPE, testing kits, hygiene products and helpline support,” said the Trust adding, “By acting now, we can stop a crisis from becoming a catastrophe.”

Manoj Badale, Chairman of the British Asian Trust, said: “As the full extent of the COVID-19 virus becomes apparent across South Asia, we at the British Asian Trust believe that we must act now to help those in most need across India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. We look forward to working with the British Asian diaspora to see how to ensure we can support the millions affected by this pandemic.“

Donations can be made through www.britishasiantrust.org

Link of the appeal by The Prince of Wales:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Knyz0DWtuwU