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The Hong Kong government's 145-strong support team has set up a command center at the Royal Phuket Hotel, Thailand, to assist Hong Kong people affected by the tsunamis.

The information office of the government said on Friday that the team is operating three help desks at Phuket and Bangkok airports and the co-ordination center in Phuket established by the Thai government. Some team members have been sent to six major hospitals in Phuket.

Principal Assistant Secretary for Security Linda So, the Hong Kong support team co-ordinator, said the Phuket team's main task is to provide assistance to Hong Kong citizens and arrange for their early return to Hong Kong.

The team will also help locate those who are missing, So said, adding search and rescue operations are under the purview of the Thai authorities.

In Hong Kong, Director of Home Affairs Pamela Tan urged the community to help the victims of the tsunami disaster areas by making generous donations at a government fund-raising event on New Year's Day organized in response to the United Nations' appeal.

Tan said she had been in touch with many warm-hearted citizens, community and charity organizations, and members of political parties who were all eager to make a contribution.

The fund-raising event, a television show produced by Television Broadcasts Limited, will be held in the afternoon of January 1 at Hong Kong Stadium. Local pop singers will perform to appeal for donations.

Funds raised will be passed to six international relief organizations, including the Red Cross, World Vision, Oxfam, Medicines Sans Frontiers, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Salvation Army, for emergency relief operations.

Editor: Olivia