Nation stands by flood victims
Students’ relief drive at TSC receives tremendous support from people of all walks of life
As the nation grapples with a devastating flood that has affected millions of lives across 11 districts, a unified effort has emerged, with the government, public and private organisations, the army, political parties, and the general public coming together to provide essential relief and support to those in need.
The interim government, led by Dr Muhammad Yunus, has expressed its appreciation for the willingness of people to provide help and support to flood victims.
Those interested in contributing can send their aid to the "Chief Adviser's Relief and Welfare Fund" at account number 0107333004093, Sonali Bank Corporate Branch, Chief Advisor's Office, according to a press release issued by chief adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam yesterday.
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The Bangladesh Armed Forces has been working tirelessly over the past two days in flood-hit areas to rescue stranded people.
The army and navy have also donated an amount equivalent to one day's salary of all its members to the Chief Adviser's Relief Fund, according to a post on the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Students' TSC relief booth gets overwhelming aid
The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement is carrying out a relief collection drive "Gonotraan" at Dhaka University's TSC. Their relief call received overwhelming support from the public.
They set up a booth at the TSC gate to collect relief for the flood victims. People from all walks of life are contributing relief items and cash as per their capacity.
Many students are volunteering at the booth.
Visiting the TSC area it was seen that volunteers were busy keeping the area clear as every moment vans, pickups and trucks were arriving with relief materials, reports the UNB.
The games room and the TSC cafeteria have already been filled with relief goods and the cafeteria seems like it has been turned into a storehouse.
Coordinator Hasnat Abdullah wrote on his Facebook page that by 8pm on Friday, they had collected Tk86,22,172 in cash, along with various relief supplies, including food items.
Donations include bottled water, oral saline, clothes, biscuits, dates, and various other dry foods. Many people are also donating cash, which is being logged into a record book by the student volunteers at the booth.
The coordinators said representatives from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement went to flood-affected areas in 200 speedboats to assist with rescue operations.
On Thursday night, several trucks loaded with relief supplies were sent from TSC to the affected regions. Each truck carried 700 to 800 sacks of relief, including water, dry food, medicine, life jackets, and other emergency items.
The movement's coordinators are also striving to maintain transparent records of all relief collections.
Some rickshaw pullers were also seen donating money at the fund collection booth of TSC.
Political parties stand by flood victims
Leaders and activists of the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami are actively participating in local rescue and relief efforts in the flood-affected areas.
Jatiyo Party Chairman GM Quader has called on party leaders and activists to support those impacted by the floods.
While members of the Awami League, ousted from power recently, have not been visibly active on the ground, they have been promoting their relief efforts through their verified Facebook page.
Public-private organisations step up
A range of government and private institutions are also providing relief assistance. Many have contributed a portion of their salaries to support relief programmes.
Interim government's Youth and Sports Advisor Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, has announced that he will donate his first month's salary to the Chief Adviser's Relief Fund and has encouraged others to join in the effort.
He said all officials and employees of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Labour and Employment will contribute one day's salary to the Fund.
Similarly, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has decided to donate an amount equivalent to one day's salary of its employees to the Fund.
