UK charities will launch an appeal to raise urgent funds to help people affected by the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.

The appeal will include national television adverts on Thursday after it was confirmed more than 11,000 people have died in the two countries.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said fatalities could reach as high as 20,000 in the coming days.

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), an umbrella group of UK charities which coordinates collective appeals to raise funds to provide emergency aid, is launching the appeal. Its charities are already part of the response.

One man travelled from Wales to the disaster zone, only to find his family buried in the rubble.

Rescue teams are searching for survivors among the rubble of thousands of buildings, including hospitals and schools, which have been levelled by the quakes.

Angry survivors complain of slow response – follow earthquake updates

Many people have been left without shelter in freezing winter conditions, with humanitarian needs expected to grow in the coming days.

Access to clean water is likely to be a challenge, bringing the risk of waterborne diseases. There was already an outbreak of cholera in northwest Syria before the earthquake.

The first earthquake struck without warning in the early hours as people slept on Monday.

More than 20,000 people have been injured in Turkey, according to the country’s government, while 380,000 people have sought refuge in government shelters or hotels.

Buildings have collapsed in northwest Syria where many people have fled from conflict in the country and medical facilities are limited.

Aid workers say displaced people living in tents are hosting families whose homes have been destroyed.

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What rescuers need as day of appeals planned

Working with locally-led relief efforts, the DEC’s immediate priorities have been providing medical treatment for the injured, shelter for those who have lost their homes, as well as blankets, warm clothes and heaters for safe spaces.

They are also ensuring people have enough food and clean water.

The DEC brings together 15 leading aid charities at times of crisis overseas. Fourteen of these are responding in Turkey and Syria including British Red Cross, ActionAid and Save the Children.

Appeals to raise funds to support their work will be broadcast on Sky, the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 on Thursday after the evening news.

BBC radio appeals will be broadcast throughout the day.

Read more:
Baby born in rubble and other harrowing pictures
More than 11,000 confirmed fatalities in Turkey and Syria
Terrified and freezing, homeless travel for days to seek refuge
Gruesome, technical work: How an earthquake rescue works

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‘We know money is tight’

The DEC will also hold a virtual press conference at 11.15am UK time on Thursday, with DEC chief executive Saleh Saeed, who will be joined by spokespeople and aid workers on the ground.

Mr Saeed said: “Funds are urgently needed to support families with medical aid, emergency shelter, food and clean water in freezing, snowy conditions. Fourteen of our member charities are responding now in Turkey and Syria and can do more with your help.

“Of course, we know that money is tight for many people here in the UK as the cost-of-living crisis continues, but if you can, please do donate to support people caught up in this deadly disaster.”

Read more:
The silence no one wants to hear after roar of diggers

Salah Aboulgasem, deputy director of partner development at Islamic Relief, based in Gaziantep, Turkey, said: “The priority right now is saving lives by clearing the rubble. The next priority is supporting people who have lost their homes and gone through huge trauma.

“People need medicines and warmth. There is a lot of screaming, people are trying to find relatives.

“A lot of people are sleeping in cars because they are scared to go back into the buildings due to aftershocks. The cars are freezing cold.

“Islamic Relief have lots of local staff and a well-established programme in the area, they are working with mosques and schools to open shelters.”

Every pound donated by the UK public to the DEC appeal will be matched by the UK government through its Aid Match scheme up to the value of £2m.

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