Dear API ERG members,
During this time as COVID-19 cases surge in India and other parts of the world, the Berkeley Lab’s Asian Pacific Islander (API) ERG acknowledges this terrible situation for our South Asian colleagues.
India is currently facing a devastating second COVID wave and lacks resources to combat it. Other Asian countries are also dealing with a large number of COVID cases that are challenging for them to manage. It is difficult to get a complete picture of what is going on, but we can safely assume that a year later, COVID is still impacting lives every day.
We share the pain, heartache and deep concern many of our API ERG members and allies are experiencing due to this situation. Know that Berkeley Lab has a number of resources for the Lab community:
- The Asian Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group (API ERG) is available as a forum in which interested employees can voice their concerns. Chat with us in the Asian Pacific Islander – API ERG chatroom.
- See our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for comprehensive support services.
We know that people may feel powerless in the face of this tragedy that is happening so far away, but we can still assist those in need. Last week, the US sent help to India.
You can support the many organizations that are working hard to send support to India. These articles describe efforts to assist India and include information on how you might help:
- Bay Area Indian Americans mobilize to send aid to COVID-affected families in India
- The coronavirus is ravaging India. Here’s how you can help
- The first US Covid-19 relief supply arrives in India- Article
If you would like to contribute financially to the current Indian crisis, you can support Help Indian Hospitals Fight the COVID-19 Crisis (https://milaap.org/fundraisers/support-indian-hospitals) by donating on Milaap, an online crowdfunding platform that enables anyone across India to raise funds for healthcare, education, among other personal causes.
US Donors can use http://www.deservingcauses.org/iitk-covid/ to make tax-exempt donations. Please note Deserving Causes India Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization set up to help with Disaster Relief & Rehabilitation, Education and Blood Donation & Research in India.
Do you know of organizations sending support to other Asian countries? Please let us know who they are and we can distribute that information to our members through the API ERG chat room.
The API ERG stands with you and our community during this difficult and stressful time. Thank you for reaching out to those who are impacted by this pandemic and offering your support.
Inder Monga, on behalf of the API ERG Committee
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Executive Director, Energy Sciences Network (ESnet)
Division Director, Scientific Networking
Lawrence Berkeley National Lab
