Dhaka, August 24 — Heavy rains and torrential downpours have triggered severe flooding in the southeastern districts of Bangladesh, submerging large areas in districts such as Feni, Noakhali, Comilla, Brahmanbaria, Chittagong, and Khagrachari. The floods have displaced thousands of residents, who are now in dire need of relief and assistance.
In response to the crisis, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement has been actively collecting and distributing relief supplies to the flood victims. Over the past few days, they have accelerated their efforts to provide food, medicine, and other essential supplies. On Friday alone, the movement raised over 1 crore 42 lakh taka in donations.
However, during a press conference held on Saturday, August 24, the relief coordinators of the movement raised concerns about fraudulent activities that have emerged amidst the relief efforts. According to the coordinators, several unscrupulous groups have been copying their social media posts and replacing the original phone number with fake ones, deceiving donors and siphoning off funds meant for flood victims.
To prevent further fraud, the coordinators urged donors to be vigilant and ensure their donations are sent through legitimate channels. "We appeal to everyone who wants to help to be aware of these scams. Please verify the phone number before making any donations. If you wish to contribute to the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, contact us only at 01886969859," said one of the relief coordinators.
The coordinators also highlighted the importance of sending the right type of medical supplies. While many are sending much-needed medicines, there have been instances of antibiotics being included in relief packages. The coordinators stressed that volunteers are not equipped to administer antibiotics without the guidance of medical professionals and requested that donors focus on providing common medications for cold, cough, and fever instead.
In addition to distributing relief supplies, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement is also deploying doctors alongside volunteers to provide medical assistance to those in need. They continue to work tirelessly to support the flood-affected communities and ensure that aid reaches those who need it most.
The situation remains critical in the southeastern districts, and the need for coordinated relief efforts is more crucial than ever. The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement calls on all citizens and organizations to come together to support the flood victims while being mindful of potential scams.
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