ABU DHABI // The Bangladesh Embassy is raising funds for the families of its nationals that died in a crash in Al Ain earlier this month.
The incident involving a lorry and a bus full of workers killed 21 men on February 4, including 19 Bangladeshis, and left 24 injured. The move comes after the embassy already assured the families - many of whom have been struggling financially after the death of their breadwinner more than three weeks ago - that they will receive compensation, once the necessary court documents are submitted.
This assurance is in addition to the year's salary each of the families have been promised by the UAE Government after the tragic incident.
"The UAE Government has given us hope," said Mohammed Idris Mian, who lost two sons, in Chittagong last week. "They have given us hope in our hearts to live."
The issue for families in Bangladesh now is that it can take between three to six months for the bureaucratic process of releasing funds to come to a successful conclusion.
The Bangladesh Embassy yesterday said that any donations from the public would be greatly received and would be accumulated in a bank account before being distributed to families.
Those looking to make a donation should make cheques out to "Embassy of Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi" and either hand them over directly to officials at the embassy in the Al Rowdah area, Delma Street, Abu Dhabi, or deposit them at Janata Bank, a Bangladeshi bank in Abu Dhabi's Electra Street. In both instances, the purpose of the donation should be clearly stated.
anwar@thenational.ae