United we care: Director of Social Welfare Carrie Lam  joins volunteers in Hung Hom to help the aged clean their homes.

Operation UNITE, a multi-sector, action-oriented campaign, will boost Hong Kong's solidarity and tell the world our determination to beat atypical pneumonia.

Launching the first series of activities this morning, convenor of the campaign's steering committee Rosanna Wong said that with concerted efforts Hong Kong could overcome the hardship.

Immediately after the kick-off ceremony, volunteers from all sectors of the community started distributing hygiene kits to the vulnerable and needy.

Some 6,000 volunteers started visits to 2,000 elderly living alone and those suffering from chronic illnesses.

Different religious groups will organise prayer sessions on Easter Sunday.

The campaign has a theme song specially produced to capture the spirit of unity and to boost public morale. Six Hong Kong electronic media organisations have begun running a 36-hour marathon broadcasting. More details of the campaign are available at RTHK's website.

To sustain the effort, fund raising activities involving the public and business sectors are being organised to support the needy and medical staff. Funds raised will also be used for public education.

A Community Chest donation hotline 187 2332 has been set up for April 19 and 20, from 8am to 11pm.

Alternatively, the public may donate funds to the bank account of The Community Chest of Hong Kong !V Operation UNITE Fund via the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, Hang Seng Bank, Standard Chartered Bank and Bank of China (Hong Kong).