The Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) at Dhaka University has transformed into a bustling hub of humanitarian aid for the third consecutive day on Saturday.
Spearheaded by the anti-discrimination student movement, the initiative has drawn a flood of support from across the community. The effort, which began with a modest setup at TSC’s main gate, has now amassed an impressive collection of relief materials.
Relief collection at the TSC continues for a third day. By noon on Saturday (August 24), the TSC area was bustling with activity as people from across the city brought donations for flood victims. Relief goods such as clothes, biscuits, purified water, dry food, oil, rice, salt, sanitary napkins, medicines, and saline were being delivered via rickshaws and pickups. Many individuals also contributed cash.
Volunteers are actively managing the collection process: some track monetary donations, while others organize the incoming relief materials.
On Friday alone, over 50 trucks were needed to transport the donated goods, ranging from dry food and bottled water to clothing and essential medicines. The initiative has seen donations from various quarters: individuals arriving in cars, vans, and even small trucks, all contributing to the cause.
The students, after a day of collecting and documenting donations, worked tirelessly into the night packaging the items. By Saturday morning, the relief collection resumed at TSC's gate from 10:00am and will continue until 8:00pm.
The campaign has been remarkably successful. On the first day, the initiative raised Tk 29 lakh 76 thousand and 173. By the second day, the total had soared to Tk 1 crore 42 lakh 50 thousand and 196. Abdul Hannan Masud, a coordinator, noted the immense volume of relief materials collected, which necessitated about 50 trucks for transport.
Students from various departments and halls are also contributing in their own ways. Some are canvassing for donations with small collection boxes, while others are setting up booths to gather both relief materials and cash. Alumni of different departments are also joining the effort, each contributing to the collective goal of aiding flood victims.
The collaborative spirit of Dhaka University's students and faculty underscores a powerful communal response to the flood crisis, reflecting the strength and solidarity of the city in times of need.
A concert titled ‘Emergency Connection for the Victims of India’s Water Aggression’ was also held at the Raju Memorial Monument where the organisers also arranged crowd funding for relief operation.
Organised by left-wing student groups, the concert successfully gathered Tk 21 lakh 41 thousand and 200 in just six hours. The event also helped collect around 20 truckloads of relief materials, further bolstering the aid efforts.