World Vision Australia has launched an appeal for those affected by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria.

As the death toll from the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria continues to rise, World Vision Australia has issued a call for donations to help provide children and families with aid that could save their lives.

After the 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck, more than 4,000 people were killed, and thousands more were injured. Teams on the ground are currently assessing the growing needs and providing emergency aid in the aftermath of the disaster.

Daniel Wordsworth, the chief executive officer of World Vision Australia, stated that the disaster has affected people who were already displaced in a region that has been ravaged by civil war for more than a decade.

Tents, tarpaulins, mattresses, and heating are being distributed by response teams to people who are once again fleeing for their lives and are desperate for shelter from the cold.

Since the outbreak of civil war in Syria in 2011, when the organisation began working with vulnerable children and families in the region, he stated that it was in a good position to assist those in need.

"This is just a terrible situation; there are families who were required to leave at four in the morning in the snow, sleet, and rain... "Families that were already homeless as a result of a civil war are now homeless once more," Daniel said.

"People are searching everywhere they can for a safe haven to escape to. They are living in their cars, the mosques are at capacity, and our teams on the ground are doing everything they can to provide the most severely affected people with shelter, heating, and bedding.

However, getting into these locations is extremely challenging, and once you're there, you have to be wary of the possibility that the buildings around you will collapse. It is important to keep in mind that this is also a region that is being ravaged by a humanitarian crisis that has been going on for more than ten years.

"World Vision has been in this position before, and we are aware of what steps to take. We are fortunate that we already had teams present on the ground so that we can quickly respond to the situation. Already, we are collaborating with individuals whose lives have been irreparably altered by this crisis.

Daniel stated that the organisation required Australians to once again demonstrate their traditionally generous nature.

As part of our global goal of $14.5 million, he said, "With your help, we aim to raise AU$1 million to help the most vulnerable survive this disaster and rebuild their lives."

"Over the next few days and weeks, we anticipate there will be a significant increase in the number of people in need of food assistance."

Meanwhile, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grande stated, "We at UNHCR stand in solidarity with the people of Turkey and Syria." "Wherever it is possible, [we] are prepared to assist in providing urgent relief to the survivors through our field teams."

Trudi Mitchell, CEO of UNHCR Australia, said, "UNHCR is deeply saddened to see the tragic aftermath of the earthquakes." "We extend our condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones who have passed away."

Emergency supplies, such as high-thermal blankets, mattresses, and other life-saving supplies, are already being distributed in Syria by the UN Refugee Agency with the help of local partners. To assess the needs and determine how UNHCR can assist, the organisation is also collaborating with partners and coordinating with Turkish authorities.

The emergency occurs as snow, rain, and icy conditions are preventing search and rescue operations in Syria and Turkey.

While Syria has been devastated by more than 11 years of civil war, Turkey is home to the largest refugee population in the world, with just over four million refugees and asylum seekers under temporary and international protection.

Australia for UNHCR is pleading with Australians for immediate assistance to assist those affected.

Australians have consistently stood by those who have been affected by natural disasters around the world, Ms. Mitchell said.

"In the days to come, the needs of the people in Syria and Turkey will only increase, and UNHCR will continue to make unremitting efforts to provide people with temporary shelters, blankets, and other supplies of aid and support. Only with the help and generosity of donors is this work of saving lives possible.

On February 6, at approximately 4:17 AM local time, the largest earthquake to hit Turkey in decades struck approximately 37 kilometres north-west of Gaziantep. The quake rocked neighbouring Syria, which has been embroiled in a civil war for nearly 12 years.

The conflict has resulted in the world's largest refugee and displaced persons crisis, which is affecting millions of people and spreading into the countries that are in the immediate area. Even before the earthquake, over 4 million people in Northern Syria were dependent on some form of humanitarian aid.

Before you go..

You can get RedWires AU for free right now. Your donation, no matter how big or small, will help us keep doing honest journalism.

The readers of Redwires AU are the engine that drives our publication. Add your support to the effort to create a sustainable future for journalism that does not make compromises in the AU.

In the world we live in now, accurate and thorough reporting and analysis are becoming more and more important. To stop the spread of false information, it's very important that everyone in Australia has access to good reporting.

The Redwires AU contributes to society by opening up access to information and resources for all people, rather than just a select few.

Our only goal is to educate the general public more thoroughly. If you believe in what we're trying to accomplish here, please consider making a contribution right away to ensure our success in the years to come.

Upgrade your subscription to get the most out of it. Join the growing number of people around the world who believe in the power of independent media.