World Federation of Diamond Bourses launches fundraising campaign for India Covid-relief

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
May 3, 2021

As numerous trade bodies in the gem and jewellery industry step up to aid India during a healthcare crisis, the World Federation of Diamond Bourses has launched a new fundraising campaign, ‘Diamond Aid’.

 
The WFDB Executive Committee held an emergency virtual meeting on April 28 and unanimously decided to mobilise the international diamond industry to send aid to India as the country struggles with mounting Covid-19 cases and a lack of healthcare resources. The organisation will coordinate with the Bharat Diamond Bourse to carry out the campaign. 
 
“The WFDB has decided to take the lead in helping our Indian brothers,” said the foundation in a statement, the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council reported on its website. “

We call upon the generosity of our industry to help the people of India through this devastating time.”
 
The organisation has created a dedicated segment on its website where donations to the campaign can be made. The goal of the fundraising campaign is to purchase essential medication and equipment and distribute them to hospitals in Surat and Mumbai, two centres for the diamond trade. The WFDB is reaching out to industry leaders, the press, and the public on social media to promote the campaign. 
 
“The international diamond and jewellery industry is a close-knit community, actually a family, made up of members from around the globe, many of whom live or originate in India,” said WFDB president Yoram Dvash.

“As members of this family, we cannot stand by without helping.”