Randal Charitable Foundation donates £500,000 to the British Asian Trust's COVID-19 Emergency Appeal

The Randal Charitable Foundation was set up by Moni and Dr Nik Kotecha in 2017 with an aspiration to save and improve the quality of life of over 1 million people globally. With this vision in mind, the Randal Charitable Foundation has selected to partner with the British Asian Trust’s COVID-19 Emergency Appeal to help provide essential emergency relief kits to 100,000 people in India.

South Asia is home to 27% 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 – particularly in India – where the lockdown has resulted in mass migration from the cities to villages. Many of those migrating relied 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.

As part of the partnership, the British Asian Trust and the Randal Charitable Foundation will work closely with local partners on the ground to distribute emergency relief kits consisting of essentials materials to those in need of immediate support.

Speaking about the appeal, Dr. Nik Kotecha OBE commented: “We’re especially pleased to be partnering with the British Asian Trust to help some of the millions of people across South Asia who have suffered a catastrophic loss of jobs and income because of the COVID-19 lockdown. These people have left the cities to return home, often walking hundreds of miles by foot to reach rural villages, with no access to food or other basic necessities. Through the Randal Charitable Foundation’s support, 100,000 people will receive life-saving food rations, and non-essentials such as hygiene equipment, which will help many of the most vulnerable survive this unfolding crisis.”

Richard Hawkes, Chief Executive of the British Asian Trust, said: “The response from the British Asian community has been heart-warming. As the full extent of the COVID-19 virus becomes apparent, the British Asian community has been at the forefront of the efforts here in the UK and is now extending support for those in real need in South Asia. We will continue working to ensure we can support the millions affected by this pandemic.”