After an audit of the relief funds collected at Dhaka University's Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) for flood victims in the country's southeast region, Tk 8 crore has been allocated for the rehabilitation of those affected by the devastating floods in August. The announcement was made during a press conference held at TSC on Tuesday night.
The audit, which detailed the funds collected and spent through the TSC-based relief initiative, was presented by Golam Fazlul Kabir, auditor of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. According to the full audit report, a total of Tk 11 crore 69 lakh 84 thousand 420 was collected, with Tk 1 crore 78 lakh 33 thousand 207 spent on relief and logistics. Currently, the movement holds Tk 9 crore 91 lakh 51 thousand 213 across two bank accounts.
The audit revealed that the relief initiative gathered Tk 9 crore 85 lakh 15 thousand 725 in cash donations, with additional contributions of Tk 78 lakh 57 thousand 216 through bank transfers, and Tk 99 lakh 44 thousand 369 via mobile banking. Smaller sums were raised by selling foreign currency, gold, and prize bonds, amounting to Tk 6 lakh 67 thousand 110.
In terms of expenditures, the largest amount, Tk 1 crore 37 lakh 92 thousand 130, was spent on purchasing relief supplies. Donations to other organisations accounted for Tk 12 lakh 6 thousand 500, while Tk 12 lakh 43 thousand 497 was spent on volunteer expenses, and Tk 11 lakh 24 thousand 940 on packaging materials.
Speaking at the event, Golam Fazlul Kabir explained, "It took us 20 days to complete the audit, which began on September 10 and concluded on September 30. There was no discrepancy in the accounts. Some funds were initially transferred to personal accounts due to the lack of an official account, but later moved to a joint account. The delay in releasing the full report was due to ensuring complete transparency."
Coordinator Lutfur Rahman announced that Tk 8 crore from the relief fund will be channeled through the government's Ministry of Relief for rehabilitation efforts in southeast Bangladesh. "Beyond the Tk 8 crore for rehabilitation, the remaining funds will be used to support ongoing relief operations in northern Bangladesh, which have already started," he said.
Another movement coordinator, Hasnat Abdullah, addressed the delay in finalising the audit, noting that additional funds continued to come in even after the official end of the relief drive. "Some cheques that couldn't be cashed initially were later processed after we opened a formal account," he clarified.
During the conference, coordinator Sarjis Alam also made a passionate appeal for the government to take visible, long-term measures to prevent future flooding, particularly in northern Bangladesh. "The Teesta River master plan needs to move beyond draft documents. We demand a permanent solution," he urged.
The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement emphasised that despite facing criticism during the delay in publishing the audit, they prioritised transparency. "Every single coin, piece of gold, and item purchased has been accounted for," said Sarjis. "We have kept silent until today, knowing we would present a clear, transparent report."
