The Ziaur Rahman Foundation (ZRF) on Friday launched a humanitarian relief initiative to support flood-affected and waterlogged people in Chattogram following days of heavy rainfall that triggered floods and the deadliest landslides in years. 

The programme was formally inaugurated in the afternoon through the distribution of food among stranded people near Sholoshahar Railway Station in Chattogram city.

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The relief operation was carried out under the direction of ZRF Vice President and eminent cardiologist Dr. Zubaida Rahman,a and under the overall supervision of the Foundation's Executive Director Dr. Farhad Halim Dona.

According to the foundation, food and medicines have been distributed among flood-affected people in different parts of Chattogram over the past five days as continuous rainfall left many areas inundated.

As part of the programme, emergency food and medical assistance were distributed at two locations in Chattogram on Friday.

The first distribution programme was held at 3:30 pm at Khillapara in Baradighi Par area of Hathazari upazila, adjacent to the Bhatiari Link Road. The second programme took place at 4:30 pm near Sholoshahar Railway Station in Chattogram city.

At both locations, emergency food supplies and essential medicines were distributed among flood-affected and stranded families.

The relief packages included flattened rice, molasses, puffed rice, chanachur, biscuits, powdered milk, oral saline and other essential items. Basic healthcare services and essential medicines were also provided for sick and vulnerable people.

Among those present at the Baradighi programme were Prof. Dr. Md. Shafiqul Islam, member of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation; Prof. Dr. Md. Ahsanul Haque, ZRF Monitor for Chattogram Division; Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University Chhatra Dal President Zia Uddin and General Secretary Md. Shahariar Hossain Talukdar.

Also present were former Joint Secretary of Chattogram North District BNP and former President of Chattogram University Chhatra Dal Mohammad Selim Chairman; Advocate Mu. Khurshedul Alam, Member Secretary of Chattogram North District Legal Aid Committee and former President of Chattogram University Chhatra Dal; South Pahartali Ward No. 1 BNP President Gazi Md. Yusuf; General Secretary Shahjahan Chowng Manju; and leaders of BNP, Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal and Sramik Dal.

A total of 120 relief packages were distributed at the Baradighi programme.

At the Sholoshahar Railway Station programme, those present included Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Dr. Md. Shahadat Hossain, Chattogram-10 MP Sayeed Al Noman, Chattogram Metropolitan Swechchhasebak Dal Member Secretary Jamir Uddin Nahid, Chattogram Medical College DAB President Prof. Dr. Md. Jasim Uddin, Chattogram District DAB President Prof. Dr. Tamiz Uddin Ahmed Manik, ZRF member and Chattogram District DAB General Secretary Dr. Belayet Hossain Dhali, AAB General Secretary Engineer Atik Billah and other distinguished guests.

Jubo Dal leader Nashid played an important role in organising the programme and coordinated volunteers to ensure smooth distribution of relief materials. A total of 50 relief packages were distributed at the Sholoshahar event.

The overall guidance for the initiative was provided by ZRF Vice President Dr. Zubaida Rahman.

Executive Director Dr. Farhad Halim Dona provided the necessary instructions for implementing the programme.

ZRF Director Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin and State Minister for Land and Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs also encouraged the timely humanitarian initiative and stressed the importance of quickly reaching disaster-hit people with assistance.

The two Chattogram programmes were coordinated locally by Prof. Dr. Md. Ahsanul Haque, ZRF Monitor for Chattogram Division, and Dr. Belayet Hossain Dhali, ZRF member and General Secretary of DAB Chattogram District. Under their supervision and coordination, the relief distribution at both Baradighi and Sholoshahar was completed successfully.

The foundation said its disaster response would not be limited to emergency relief alone but would also include rehabilitation, healthcare and need-based support for affected people in phases.

It added that similar assistance programmes would be expanded to other flood-hit areas of Chattogram if necessary.

According to the foundation, the humanitarian initiative brought immediate relief to flood victims and demonstrated social responsibility and solidarity, with local residents expressing appreciation and hoping such support would continue in the future.