New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark announced Tuesday that the government is designating Sunday Jan. 16 as a Memorial Day for New Zealanders to remember the victims of the Boxing Day tsunami in southern and south east Asia.

She said in a statement that the loss of life, injuries, and devastation caused by the tsunami had been felt right around the world. New Zealand mourns its own victims and injured, as well as the losses suffered by the communities through which the tsunami swept.

"All New Zealanders are encouraged to take time on Sunday, be it at a formal event or in a more private or personal way, to remember the many people whose lives have been destroyed or badly affected by the catastrophe," Clark said.

Representatives of communities from those nations worst affected are being invited to participate in an inter-faith service to be held at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Parnell,Auckland, at 1:30 p.m.

The service at the Cathedral will incorporate one minute's silence at 1:59 p.m., the time the earthquake struck on the Sundayof Boxing Day. New Zealanders across the country are encouraged toobserve this minute's silence. National television and radio stations are also making plans to observe it. Flags on government buildings will be flown at half-mast from Jan. 14 to 16.

Clark said the New Zealand government had already announced a contribution of 10 million dollars to the humanitarian relief effort in those countries worst hit by the earthquake and tsunami.

"Further decisions on funding will be announced after Cabinet meets next Tuesday. New Zealand will continue to play a part in responding to the humanitarian relief, reconstruction, and disaster reduction needs of affected countries," the Prime Minister said.

Source: Xinhua