BNP raises Tk20 crore for flood relief

The BNP has raised around Tk20 crore in cash and relief materials to assist flood-affected people in the country’s eastern districts. The funds are being used to provide essential supplies and support rehabilitation efforts, said Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain, a member of the BNP standing committee, during a press conference on Friday.

In addition to central efforts, party leaders and workers have independently distributed relief in flood-hit areas.

Since 25 August, the BNP and its supporters have collected over Tk20 crore for the relief effort, with a significant portion already spent on relief and rehabilitation in districts like Feni, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Cumilla, Khagrachari, Habiganj, and parts of Chattogram and Chandpur.

The press conference was organised by the BNP relief collection committee at the party’s Nayapaltan central office. Zahid noted that the party’s initial focus was on rescuing flood-affected individuals, followed by distributing food. Local leaders from district, upazila, and municipality levels managed the efforts.

Despite not being in power, Zahid emphasised that BNP remains committed to helping the people, and that contributions came from all sections of society, including housewives, rickshaw pullers, and labourers. He assured transparency in the collection and distribution of relief, with detailed records kept.

Zahid mentioned that they have around Tk7 crore remaining in the BNP Central Relief and Rehabilitation Fund for ongoing support. Medical camps have also been established in affected areas to address the spread of disease, with doctors providing free medication. The Ziaur Rahman Foundation and the Doctors' Association of Bangladesh (DAB) are collaborating in this effort.

The party has also focused on helping farmers, providing paddy seeds from Jamalpur, Brahmanbaria, and Tangail to flood-hit areas, where crops were destroyed.

Following directives from BNP’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, post-flood rehabilitation efforts include distributing educational materials to children and helping rebuild homes for affected families.

Additionally, BNP plans to assist the families of the 137 martyrs from the student-led movement in the eastern part of the country.