UK charities launch earthquake appeal as fears grow over freezing conditions

The UK’s Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) has launched an appeal to help hundreds of thousands of people affected by earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria. 

UK aid agencies – including the British Red Cross, Oxfam and ActionAid- are joining together to raise money. The money raised will go to medical aid, emergency shelter, food and clean water. 

The appeal will be broadcast on TV on Thursday evening. 

The death toll continues to climb – with the last update putting the toll at 15,000 and the World Health Organization (WHO) warns that the extreme weather, and lack of electricity, water and food could lead to more deaths. 

The two quakes and the more than 100 aftershocks caused mass destruction across Turkey and Syria. 

Thousands of buildings collapsed in the disaster, leaving an unknown number trapped in the rubble. 

Search and rescue teams have desperately attempted to find survivors, as the UK and other countries send rescue teams and equipment to help. 

Many people have lost homes, leaving them without shelter in freezing conditions, the DEC says. 

In Syria, some people were already living in tents after fleeing conflict are now hosting people whose homes have been destroyed in the quakes. 

The charities say access to clean water will be difficult in the coming days and waterborne diseases will be a hazard. 

The UK government will match the first £5m of donations from the public. Money raised will also provide blankets, warm clothes and heaters. 

The Scottish government is contributing £500,000 and the DEC Scotland will launch an appeal on Thursday. 

DEC chief executive Saleh Saeed described the scenes in Turkey and Syria as “heartbreaking”, with thousands “losing loved ones suddenly in the most shocking of ways”.

He said: “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.”