Countries across South Asia are experiencing a new and deadly surge of COVID-19. The region, home to almost 2 billion people, now accounts for half of all new, known infections globally. Every second, more than three new cases are recorded.
Mortality is also rising sharply. With every minute that passes, three more people in the region lose their lives to the virus.
Hospitals are overwhelmed, there is an acute lack of oxygen and other life-saving medical supplies, and there is a real risk of fragile health systems collapsing. In the countries that are being hardest hit, entire families are losing their lives to the virus.
The sheer speed and scale of infection is pushing health systems in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Maldives to the brink – with fears that Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan and Afghanistan could face similar devastating surges. The speed of the virus is outstripping countries’ ability to treat patients and save lives.
“We must stop the devastation and protect our children”
