As severe flooding continues to devastate various parts of Bangladesh, people from all walks of life are stepping up to aid those affected. The floodwaters, primarily caused by runoff from India’s Gumti River, have been intensified coupled with the continuous rainfall over the past few days, leaving many regions, including Feni, Cumilla, Akhaura, Khagrachari, and Lakshmipur, in distress.
In response, the spirit of solidarity has swept across the nation, with individuals, organisations, and government officials rallying to provide much-needed support to the flood victims.
bKash’s contributions
bKash, a leading mobile financial service provider in Bangladesh, has announced a significant initiative to support the flood-affected communities. In a statement to The Business Post, Shamsuddin Haider Dalim, head of Corporate Communications and PR at bKash, revealed that all employees of the company will be donating one day’s salary to assist those in need.
“Like before, bKash always steps up when people are in distress due to natural or manmade disasters,” said Dalim, highlighting that bKash customers can also contribute to the relief efforts by donating through the bKash app. Users can tap on the donation icon within the app and choose their preferred organisation working in the flood-affected areas to make their contribution.
Govt officials join
Government officials across the country have also initiated campaigns to support the flood victims. Many have taken to social media and private groups to encourage their peers to donate one day’s salary.
Gazi Azizur Rahman, upazila nirbahi officer and president of the 34th BCS Association, expressed his commitment to the cause. “We are planning to provide one day’s salary to the flood victims. We will feel good if we can contribute here,” Rahman stated to The Business Post.
Similarly, Jamiunur Rahman Sumon, deputy manager of the Electricity Generation Company of Bangladesh Limited, announced his intention to donate on his Facebook timeline, urging other government officials to follow suit.
“It is our responsibility to extend helping hands on humanitarian grounds to the victims,” echoed Md Abdur Rahim, a lecturer at Government City College in Jashore, through his social media post.
Volunteers and political groups
In addition to individual and corporate efforts, various volunteer groups and political organisations are actively working on the ground. Volunteers from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement have been tirelessly collecting funds and assembling packages of dry food for distribution.
Their efforts were notably visible at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) of Dhaka University, where they were busy preparing relief supplies.
The Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), the student wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has also joined the relief efforts. JCD General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir informed The Business Post that directives have been issued to all central and local leaders and activists to stay engaged in supporting the flood-affected communities.
