Businessman seeks to help Bangladeshis

A Dubai-based businessman is collecting used blankets from hospitals for needy Bangladeshis.

Munir Ahmed Bhatti, a Pakistani, is one of the first delegates to travel to Dhaka and meet with needy people.

He recalled: "My feeling for these people started seven years ago when I read an article about them in a magazine. I went on a trip to visit them in 1996 in Bangladesh. There, I experienced the miserable conditions in which they live in 44 camps. At that time, I promised myself to help these people as much as I can."

Bhatti owns his own steel factory. He enjoys social work. He built two schools and one mosque in Pakistan for the poor. He also held a number of fund-raising activities for the needy.

"Now, I plan to help them by collecting and sending used clothes and blankets – especially now when winter is coming," he said.

Bhatti praised Sharjah Police for their help and support. He said that they made two donations with more than 5,000 blankets. "This time, I call on government hospitals, as well as private ones, to donate their used blankets.

"Here in the UAE, people usually throw away their used clothing. I ask them instead to donate them for people who will benefit from them," he added.

Bhatti has started this collection drive on his own. His staff help him by sparing two hours from their time every day to collect donations.

"We collect donations door-to-door. People who want to help can also bring their donations to my factory in Al Ghusais in Dubai," he said.

Bhatti expressed his appreciation to one Indian woman from Abu Dhabi who donated more than five tonnes of food.

"I am planning to send 44 big containers of used clothes to Bangladesh. I bought more than 3,000 shirts for them. I want other private organisations to help us in this mission," he said.

Bhatti and his friends are paying for the containers.