Every minute counts in the desperate race to help people affected by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. The church is rising up to respond and you can make a difference right now. Join us in fundraising for the disaster today.

More than 30,000 people have lost their lives. Whole towns have been flattened. Tens of thousands of people whose homes have been destroyed are now at the mercy of a freezing winter.

As part of the Disasters Emergency Committee a group of humanitarian agencies Tearfund has launched an emergency appeal. Our church partner in Syria is providing vital supplies such as warm clothing, nourishing food and hygiene essentials. But the need is vast your support will make a crucial difference.

Your fundraising will help provide warm clothing, nourishing food and hygiene essentials for people who have been affected by the earthquake. Every £125 you raise could provide a month of food to keep a family strong and healthy.

In Aleppo, hospitals and medical centres had been destroyed during the war and havent been rebuilt yet, explains Martin Leach, who leads Tearfunds work in the region.

People were already extremely vulnerable, so this earthquake is a crisis on top of a crisis. It is yet another layer of devastation that adds to the poverty and vulnerability experienced by ordinary Syrians.

The needs of those affected by the earthquake are for shelter, warmth, clothes, food, health and in the longer term rebuilding. The Syrian Orthodox Church in Aleppo have opened their doors so that people who have lost their homes can come and have somewhere to be safe, be warm and get a hot meal and something to drink.

Tearfund does not work in Turkey, but we are committed in prayer to everyone affected by the earthquake. By supporting our appeal, you will be showing people across the whole region that they are not alone.

If enough money is raised to respond to those affected by the earthquake in Syria, support may also be provided to people in the greatest need across the wider region.