Bangladesh
Bangladeshis delivering relief to TİKA's Dhaka office by walking and cycling
Dhaka, February 20: Last Friday was the 12th day since the terrible earthquake hit Turkey-Syria. On that day, many Bangladeshis appeared at the Dhaka office of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency or TİKA with relief aid for the Turkish people. Turkey is receiving relief aid through this organization.
According to Turkish news agency Anadolu Agency, heavy traffic jams during peak hours are a regular occurrence in Dhaka, a city of about two million people. But in spite of this, many people are seen walking or cycling to the vaccination office.
Mahbub Uddin Ahmed, a man, said, "I came here by cycling for half an hour and handed over the donations collected from my friends, relatives, and colleagues."
He said, here I have seen many big industrial groups and companies donating huge materials in big cartons. Still, I can say that my materials, though small in quantity, contain endless love and solidarity.
Many others, like Mahbub Uddin, expressed their love for the Turkish people in the same way and delivered donations to TİKA's Dhaka office. Tika authorities said they are accepting only tents, blankets, and sleeping bags at the moment. For this, no one has been requested to bring items like food, medicine, power bank. Due to shipment priority, such products will not be able to reach Turkey for the time being, they said.
Besides, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency or TİKA's Dhaka office is not accepting cash assistance either. TİKA Bangladesh coordinator Sevki Mert Baris said TİKA is awaiting approval from Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to open a bank account. Once it is opened people will be able to easily send cash through banking channels.
According to Anadolu news, another cargo flight of approximately 100 tonnes and a regular flight of around 10 tonnes of relief are scheduled to leave Dhaka for Turkey on Friday night.
