Government has established the United Nations Afghan Appeal Fund in a humanitarian effort to assist civilians of Afghanistan who are feeling the fallout of the war on terrorism.

It was revealed during the Throne Speech yesterday that Government has opened accounts at both the Bank of Bermuda and the Bank of Butterfield.

And "every man, woman and child" in Bermuda were challenged to donate one dollar to the relief fund.

Governor Thorold Masefield said it was in "response to the public's desire to do something meaningful and play a part in the world-wide terrorism initiative".

"It has been almost two months since that fateful day in Septmber that changed the world; and the ripples from the economic fallout are being felt in every corner of the world," the Governor said.

"This atrocity appalled us all and Bermudians were even more shattered when it was learned that the tragedy intimately touched the lives of two Bermudian families, as well as affecting countless Bermudians and Bermuda residents who lost friends and colleagues.

"While lives have ended, the cause of freedom and justice never ends. Thus, in response to the public's oft-expressed desire to do something meaningful and to allow Bermuda to play a part by making a contribution to the worldwide anti-terrorism initiative, the Bermuda Government has established the UN Afghan Appeal Fund.

"This fund is in response to a request by the United Nations for countries around the world to aid their efforts to raise five hundred and eighty-four million dollars ($584M) to help the vulnerable in and around Afghanistan."

And Premier Jennifer Smith told The Royal Gazette yesterday that it was an important step for Bermuda to be apart of the United Nations' goal to raise nearly $600 million in the global war against terrorism.

The Premier said she is hoping to raise as much as possible and noted that Government will match public donations up to a maximum of $75,000.

"There are many relief efforts that are going on to help the Americans," the Premier said, "and we as the Government have offered our assistance in several initiatives.

"One has been done very quietly, when the Minister of Tourism extended an invitation for expense paid vacations to several New York Fire Officers and Police Officers to come to Bermuda.

"But we are doing the fund as a humanitarian effort in accordance with the United Nations - who are trying to raise funds for those who are affected in Afghanistan. So we hope that every one will donate at least one dollar to help."

Aid agencies have been predicting a humanitarian catastrophe in Afghanistan and the surrounding region where an already existing refugee crisis is worsening as the United States prosecutes its war against terrorism.

A bombing campaign against Afghanistan's ruling Taliban is now about to enter its fifth week. US authorities are trying to force Afghanistan's leaders to hand over their Saudi guest Osama bin Laden whom they suspect of being the mastermind behind the September attacks in which three commercial airliners were wielded as weapons against major American landmarks.

A fourth hijacking mission ended when passengers tackled the hijackers and the plane crashed into a Pennsylvania field.