As severe floods devastate 11 districts of the country, citizens and volunteer groups have rallied alongside the government to provide much-needed relief to those affected. From Dhaka to remote regions, people are coming together in a show of unprecedented solidarity, delivering essential supplies and rescuing stranded victims. Across the country, individuals and non-governmental organizations are filling covered vans, trucks, and pick-ups with dry food, essential medicines, safe drinking water, and staples like rice and lentils. Cash donations are also being handed directly to flood victims. In addition to these efforts, volunteers from various parts of the country are bringing boats and speedboats by truck to flood-hit areas to assist in rescue operations. Many have remarked that such unity in the face of disaster is unlike anything they have seen before. Meanwhile, numerous government and private institutions have also joined the cause, with employees donating a day's salary to support flood victims. ‘Gonotran’: Mass Relief Collection at Dhaka University’s TSC At Dhaka University's Teacher-Student Centre (TSC), people from all walks of life have been pouring in with donations since last Thursday. The “Gonotran” (Mass Relief Collection) initiative, called by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, has garnered overwhelming support.  Thousands of people have participated, contributing cash and relief supplies to the effort. On the first day alone, significant amounts of food, clothing, sanitary napkins, and several lakhs of taka were collected. By Friday afternoon, the influx of donations had only increased, with trucks, pick-ups, vans, rickshaws, and private cars arriving at TSC filled with relief materials for the flood-affected. Read more: New areas flooded in Cumilla : 7 lakh people still trapped Even children are contributing their savings to the cause. With the TSC cafeteria and game room filled to capacity with supplies, additional storage has been arranged in the central auditorium and TSC’s hallways. A queue of vehicles bringing donations has formed in the TSC area, while over 300 school and college students are volunteering to package the relief items. Abdul Munim, a coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement’s medical team, expressed his amazement at the public's response. "We have never seen such a united effort from the general public before. It feels like a new movement to build a stronger Bangladesh has begun. This is our first test, and we are confident that together, we will pass it," he said. Fundraising Efforts Spread Across Dhaka’s Streets In addition to the major initiatives, students are collecting donations at several locations in Dhaka. Youth groups in neighborhoods are also gathering funds and supplies for the flood victims. Military and Emergency Services Mobilize for Flood Relief The police, army, navy, air force, coast guard, and fire service are actively working in flood-affected areas to assist residents. They are distributing dry and cooked food, while also conducting rescue operations using helicopters in the most severely impacted regions. One Day’s Salary Donated to Flood Victims Members of the Bangladesh Army have donated the equivalent of one day's salary to the Chief Adviser’s Relief Fund, while employees of various government and private organizations have done the same through platforms like Nagad and bKash. Additional relief funds have been established by several autonomous institutions. Read more: Prices of dry food, candle, drinking water shot up in flood-hit areas Mobile Operators Provide Free Minutes and Internet for Flood Victims In a bid to support those affected by the flood, the country's major mobile operators, including Grameenphone, Banglalink, Robi, Airtel, and the state-owned Teletalk, have announced free talk time and internet packages. Imams Urge Support for Flood Victims During Friday’s Jummah Prayers During Friday’s Jummah prayers, Imams across the country, including in the capital, spoke about the sufferings of flood victims and urged people to offer assistance according to their means. They also led prayers for the victims and many mosques have started collecting donations for flood relief. Free Rebooking for Missed Flights Due to Floods In light of the ongoing floods, passengers who miss flights due to travel difficulties are being allowed to rebook their tickets for free. This directive has been issued to 33 airlines operating from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Group Captain Md. Kamrul Islam, the airport’s Executive Director, has requested airlines to cooperate with passengers facing such challenges. As the nation grapples with one of its most severe flood crises in recent memory, the unity and determination of its people offer hope for recovery and resilience. Read more: Deadly flood claims 18 lives, affects over 48 lakh people across 11 districts: Govt

The counting of donations at Pagla Masjid, a 250-year-old mosque in Kishoreganj, has shattered all previous records. With some sacks still left, by 7:30pm on Saturday night, the total count had already crossed Tk 7.38 crore (7 crore 38 lakh). The previous highest on record, in December 2023, had been Tk 6.32 crore, from 23 sacks of the 9 donation boxes of the mosque.  This time the 9 boxes yielded 27 sackloads of cash, apart from stones including gold jewellery, some foreign currency, and assorted items, which escape valuation.  Read more: Amid support and challenges, mosque for hijra community opens in Mymensingh Shaukat Hossain, administrative officer of the mosque, confirmed the matter to the UNB correspondent. “According to the latest information, after counting till 8:30 tonight, we already have a new record for the highest money received in the history of Pagla Masjid,” Hossain said.  He added that the mosque authorities are anticipating the count may even cross the Tk 8 crore mark this time around.  Read more: Top 10 Historical Mosques in Bangladesh

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court today (July 23, 2023) ordered Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus to pay Tk 12 crore tax on donations to the National Bureau of Revenue (NBR) after dismissing a leave-to-appeal in this regard. A four-member bench of the Appellate Division, headed by Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique, passed the order after hearing the leave-to-appeal submitted by Dr Yunus against a High Court verdict. Attorney General AM Amin Uddin represented the state during the hearing, while Fida M Kamal and Barrister Abdullah Al Mamun stood for Dr Yunus. Earlier on June 21, a leave-to-appeal was filed against the High Court verdict. On July 9, the chamber court set July 17 for hearing in the Appellate Division. Read: HC asks Dr Yunus to pay  over Tk 12 crore as donation tax On July 17, the Appellate Division adjourned till July 23 the hearing on the appeal against the High Court verdict. According to the petition, NBR served three separate notices claiming Tk 12,28,74,000 tax against Tk 61.57 crore donation during 2011-2012 fiscal year, Tk 1.60 crore tax against Tk 8.15 crore donation in FY 2012-2013, and Tk 1.50 crore tax against Tk 7 crore donation in FY 2013-2014 as per the Donation Tax-1990. Read: Trial against Dr Yunus to continue in labour court: Appellate Division Dr Yunus challenged the validity of NBR's notices and filed a case in the Appellate Tribunal. According to him, NBR cannot claim tax against donations as per law. On November 20, 2014, his application was rejected. Then in 2015, he filed three income tax reference cases in the High Court. After that, the High Court ruled on May 31 that the tax imposed by the NBR against the money that he had donated to three trusts was valid. After the verdict on May 31, Attorney General AM Amin Uddin told reporters that Dr Yunus had donated Tk 77 crore to three institutions. “The petitions were dismissed. Now the tax demanded by the NBR will have to be paid. The NBR had demanded more than Tk 15 crore. He (Dr Yunus) has already given around Tk 3 crore. Now the remaining Tk 12 crore will have to be paid in taxes.” Read more: HC stays labour law violation case against Dr Yunus for 6 months

Cash donations and funds raised to assist victims of Thailand's weekend mass shooting have reached up to 23 million baht (735,764 U.S. dollars), said Nakhon Ratchasima governor Wichian Chantharanothai, on Tuesday.