The team of five million could show what great global neighbours we can be

Grant Bayldon, national director of World Vision New Zealand, says it’s time to help our neighbours

It’s just over a year ago that New Zealand faced the prospect of Covid19 spreading out of control. Of essential medical supplies running out, of hospitals forced to turn our loved ones away, of not getting the chance to say goodbye to family.

This risk galvanised us. We looked out for our vulnerable neighbours, cheered on our essential workers, and did our bit to fight the disease – knowing we were in this together.

Our worst fears for ourselves weren’t realised. But India was not so lucky. Right now, relatives there are taking desperately ill family members from hospital to hospital, only to be turned away again. Outside, ambulances sit for hours, their paramedics fighting to keep people alive until a bed becomes available – but knowing it probably won’t until it’s too late. And in the overcrowded and impoverished slum communities many are simply struggling and dying at home; their families knowing that there is little point trying to get help.

But we can help.

The things that are needed right now in India are mostly not complicated, but they are extremely urgent – oxygen, hospital beds, masks, soap and sanitiser. World Vision is there right now, providing these things to hospitals, health clinics and the poorest communities. We desperately need your help to be able to reach as many people as possible. The Covid-19 crisis has reminded us how important it is to look out for our neighbours here. Now we have a chance as Kiwis to show what great global neighbours we can be.

Whenever I meet people in some of the poorest communities in the world, I’m struck by how similar they are to me. What matters to them most is exactly what I think would matter most to you or I – that they can keep their families sheltered, healthy and loved.

Just as we kept the essential services like medicines and food going here, we must help keep them going in India and other places where families are suffering the most.