As you will know, a series of devastating earthquakes has hit southern Turkey and north-west Syria. The death toll from the disaster has already reached more than 16,000, although officials fear this could rise much, much more.

The first deadly earthquake struck at 4am on Monday while people were inside their homes, asleep in their beds, with no warning signs. Thousands of buildings, including hospitals and schools, have collapsed and infrastructure has been badly damaged. Local responders are desperately searching through the rubble for survivors.

People have been left without shelter in freezing winter conditions and desperately need blankets, emergency shelter, food and clean water.

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) brings together 15 leading UK aid charities to raise funds quickly and efficiently at times of crisis overseas. Pooling their resources to work as one, the DEC is pivotal in co-ordinating the UK public's response to overseas disasters, getting aid to people who need it, fast.

The UK Government will match pound-for-pound up to £5m donated by the public to the DEC appeal.

We hope all the CMJ family can come together and support this disaster appeal as in situations like this, every hour really does matter.