updated 7:48 p.m. ET Aug. 30, 2005

NEW YORK - The NBA players’ association said Tuesday it is launching an immediate effort to assist in the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.

“We are in the process of contacting every player in the league to solicit their support and ideas on how we can make a difference as quickly as possible,” said union president Antonio Davis of the Chicago Bulls.

The union will help deliver supplies to the hardest hit areas.

“We want to mobilize immediately and provide as much assistance as possible to the tens of thousands of people who find themselves in life threatening situations as a result of this natural disaster,” executive director Bill Hunter said. “Our goal is to collectively raise and contribute at least $1 million in aid to the victims.”

Bulls guard Chris Duhon, from Slidell, La., said he would work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to try to get financial support, clothing and food.

“This tragic event has destroyed the homes and lives of many people — people I know,” Duhon said. “Many towns are experiencing this devastation and have yet to determine what, if any, buildings will be saved. We have to do something to help ease this burden.”

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