The World Federation of Diamond Bourses’ (WFDB) Diamond Aid campaign, started in May to raise funds to help India in its battle with COVID-19, has kicked off a free vaccination drive for diamond workers in Mumbai.
The drive will vaccinate 5,000 diamond cutters in its first stage. The vaccinations are being administered by Apollo Hospitals, a leading health care services provider.
Led by the WFDB, the Diamond Aid campaign has raised thousands of dollars from both individuals and industry organizations.
At the time of publication, only 6.3% of the Indian population was fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Currently, the country is averaging 42,000 new cases a day, down from over 400,000 new cases a month ago.
“We launched the Diamond Aid campaign out of a deep sense of mutual responsibility for the diamond community worldwide,” said WFDB president Yoram Dvash in a statement. “Through our efforts, we were able to mobilize the support of large parts of the diamond and jewelry world and to raise many tens of thousands of dollars for this cause.”
The drive is being organized in conjunction with the Indian Gem & Jewellery National Relief Foundation (GJNRF) and the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), and in coordination with the Bharat Diamond Bourse. The Borivali Diamond Cutters and Polishers Association has provided the venue and logistics support for the drive.
(Photo courtesy of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses)
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