Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today appealed to New Yorkers and members of the business community to donate critically needed supplies to assist the victims of Hurricane Pauline which slammed into the Mexican coast on Thursday, killing at least 200 people and leaving tens of thousands injured and homeless.

Joining the Mayor at today's press conference was Mexican Counsel General Jorge Pinto who thanked the Mayor and City officials for their efforts. According to officials from the American Red Cross, the death toll is expected to rise.

The Mayor also established a Hurricane Relief Task Force, led by Deputy Mayor Ninfa Segarra and Jerome Hauer, Director of the Mayor's office of Emergency Management, and comprised of health and environmental specialists, fire fighters and other emergency workers. The Task Force, working in close coordination with Counsel General Pinto, will assess the medical needs of those impacted by this catastrophic hurricane and to devise a plan to send medicines, equipment and other assistance.

"The destruction in Acapulco and other Mexican coastal areas is hard to imagine," said Mayor Giuliani. "Entire towns have been washed away by fierce flood waters or buried in devastating landslides. Today, I am appealing to New Yorkers to donate bottled water, blankets, non-perishable foods and money to assist their Mexican neighbors in this time of desperate need.

"Just as New York City's relief efforts helped comfort the victims of Hurricane Hortense, which struck Puerto Rico last year, I am confident that we will once again come through. As a City, our compassion and concern for those less fortunate than ourselves is unparalleled. New Yorkers' generosity exemplifies what is best about our City," the Mayor added.

Counsel General Pinto said, "I want to thank Mayor Giuliani for once again demonstrating solidarity with the Mexican people in this sorrowful time when my country has been struck by a devastating natural disaster. New York is showing its compassion for their Mexican neighbors -- a trait that has come to characterize this great City."

New Yorkers who wish to help in the relief efforts should bring bottled water, non-perishable foods, and blankets to local firehouses which Mayor Giuliani has designated as official drop-off points. AeroMexico has generously offered to transport all relief supplies to Mexico.

The American Red Cross has also established a special telephone hotline for New Yorkers who wish to make a monetary donation. The number to call is 1-800-HELP-NOW.

Other members of the Task Force include Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen, Dr. Rosa Gil, Special Advisor to the Mayor for Health Policy, and Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Joel Miele.