TBT Report, Sunamganj : The flash flood in the past week has inundated a significant part of Sunamganj and Sylhet. Apart from losing their belongings, many have lost their lives. Those who survived are struggling to have their ends meet. Being in the forefront of shaping people’s views, The Bangladesh Today (TBT), a popular news daily, did not just document and publish the horrors of the natural disaster. The staff members of this news daily actually moved to the ground and disseminated essentials to the flood affected people.
Under the prudent leadership of the media house’s acting editor and chairman, Jobaer Alam, the national daily has distributed food, cash and relief supplies to flood victims in the south-eastern parts of the country. The campaign ran over a period of two days in Sunamganj Sadar, Doarabazar, and Chhatak. Jobaer Alam has taken this initiative on his own hand and helped approximately 3,000 families.
Jobaer Alam was shocked to see the devastation the flood had created. The visiting staff members went to extreme lengths to make sure that the most needy get relief items. He was accompanied by his wife and the founder of MJ Fashion, Maarjan Jenifa.
During the campaign, they were supported by Dewan Pir Abdul Khaleq Raja, the chairman of Noarai Union Parisad No. 2, Abdul Mumin, General Secretary of union parishad Awami League, Md. Shahidul Haque, the deputy managing editor of the daily, Online in-charge Md. Naeem Uddin Siam, Sunamganj district correspondent AK Milon Ahmed, Doarabazar upazila correspondent Habibullah Helali, Chhatak upazila correspondent Azir Uddin.
At a short phase during the relief distribution Jobaer Alam said, “This flood broke the records for the past 122 years. I witnessed firsthand that livestock, birds, rice, pulses and other necessities have been washed away and many people are living inhumane lives.
It is difficult for the government alone to help this huge population. So I think the rich people of the country should stand by the helpless hungry people. I feel blessed that some cooks have been able to distribute food, cash, and relief supplies, and I urge you to stand by the flood victims.”
Iftekhar bin Ali, Mohiuddin Mahi, Abul Bashar Meraj, Shafiqul Islam Shaon, Jisan Ahmed Shuvro, Mushfiqur Rahman, Al Fahad Sheikh and Naimur Rahman, students of the Department of Oceanography, Dhaka University, volunteered for the relief work.
Tapas Ray Sarkar, Managing Editor of The Bangladesh Today, Khaki Kamal Hossain, General Manager of Marketing Department, Moniruzzaman Manik, Assistant Manager, Samaun Badsha, Human Resources Manager and Hasanat Gharami, Office Assistant, Sakhawat Hossain Mezbah, Md. Ronnie Mia and Shahjalal Ahmed Shuvo extended their support for the initiative.