An alliance of leading Irish humanitarian organisations has reiterated its appeal to the Irish public to support the hundreds of thousands impacted by the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria as the death toll is predicted to double.

The Irish Emergency Alliance – made up of Action Aid, Christian Aid, Plan International, Tearfund, Trócaire and World Vision Ireland – said they are overwhelmed by the response to its earthquake appeal to date, with funds going to provide food, water, blankets, hygiene kits and shelter to those displaced.

Irish Emergency Alliance Executive Director, Brian Casey, said: “Once again the Irish people have dug deep and stepped up in the hour of need. We are overwhelmed by the response since we launched our appeal last week and we want to thank everybody for their support.”

He added: “However we are asking people to continue to support. Today the UN said they expect the death toll – which is now at over 28,000 – will  double. This is unthinkable. The United Nations is warning that at least 870,000 people urgently need hot meals across Turkey and Syria. Millions have been made homeless. And the World Health Organisation has said almost 26 million people have been affected by the earthquake.”