Coronavirus: MEA launches helplines for those seeking assistance

In the wake of coronavirus outbreak, the Ministry of External Affairs has been pulling out all the stops to ensure the safety of Indians abroad and has set up a special cell to coordinate on issues related with the response to the pandemic that has claimed more than 5,000 lives worldwide.

New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs on Monday launched helplines for those seeking assistance in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

The MEA has been pulling out all the stops to ensure the safety of Indians abroad and has set up a special cell to coordinate on issues related with the response to the pandemic that has claimed more than 5,000 lives worldwide.

"All hands on deck! @MEAIndia's helplines for COVID-19 control centre are open. Control Room: 1800118797 (toll free), +91- 11- 23012113, +91- 11- 23014104, +91- 11- 23017905," MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.

He also shared a fax number -- +91- 011-23018158 -- and an email address -- covid19@mea.gov.in -- for those wanting to reach out to the ministry in connection with issues related to the outbreak.

Additional Secretary Dammu Ravi has been appointed as the point person for coordinating the response to COVID-19. He has four other officers and staff members to support him, officials said.

"Our missions abroad are working round the clock and responding to queries from Indian nationals abroad. Missions have set up their helplines and are proactively responding to queries over phone and emails as well as using social media platforms to reach the Indian community members in these countries," an official had said.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla are personally monitoring the situation, the officials said.

(PTI Report)