Time is running out for survivors of Monday’s devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Turkey and Syria.

Julide Gunes, from the Salvation Church of Malatya in Turkey, told Salt&Light: “Efforts continue to reach those who are still in the buildings but aftershocks are still going on. It scares everyone a lot.

“The most important thing is to stay outside even though it is winter now,” she added through a Whatsapp update on the situation on the ground.

The death toll has risen to more than 21,000* at press time, and is expected to increase significantly as over 100 aftershocks measuring up to 7.5 in magnitude continue to shake the region, according to data from the US Geological Survey.  

A boy being rescued from the rubble by The White Helmets, Syria’s volunteer civil defence corps. As time passes, victims’ chances of survival drop drastically. Photo via @the_whitehelmets on Instagram.

Rami Al Rahhal, a staff from World Vision International based in Idlib in northwest Syria recounted to Salt&Light how the aftershocks had caught his family unawares.

After being jolted awake by the first quake, Rami with his wife and three children ran out of the house in their pyjamas.

People are exposed to harsh sub-zero temperatures as they camp out in the open, unable to return to their homes for fear of aftershocks. There is a high risk of more fatalities due to the extreme elements. Screengrab of CNBC coverage of the Turkey-Syria earthquake.

Rami Al Rahhal, a World Vision International staff, in front of one of thousands of collapsed buildings. Photo courtesy of World Vision Syria.

They waited a few minutes before returning to the house to take shelter from the cold and rain. But barely a few minutes later, the aftershocks started and the family ran back out in a panic.

“The temperature that night was 2°C,” Rami said. “My children were shaking from the fear and cold, but there was only so much I can do. I covered them with a small blanket and waited until the aftershocks calmed down and we went inside.”

Hundreds of thousands of victims in sub-zero temperatures are without adequate food and shelter as aftershocks continue to ripple through the region. Children, in particular, are at risk of hypothermia. Some of the homeless have found temporary shelter in makeshift tents, cars and churches. But many more have not. 

Aftershocks also pose a serious hazard to rescuers digging through the rubble.

All that remains of a high-rise building in Adana, Turkey. Photo by @canerok for AFP, retrieved from @afpphoto on Instagram.

Rami described the scene in Idlib, Syria: “People are in the streets and on the roads begging for help. Most homes are partially destroyed. We cannot risk our children going back to these homes, especially in areas that have aftershocks.”

One particular challenge Rami faces is the dual role he holds as a staff of an international aid organisation seeking to help the stricken community, as well as being one of the victims of the earthquake struggling to care for his wife and three children.

Speaking from Turkey, Julide told Salt&Light: “The churches continue to help, but we can’t even find bread and water. It’s very bad.”

“Brothers and sisters from other churches are coming to this area to help. The mission of the groups is to provide food.

“The devastation is immense. We need food and water. And I know they also need medical supplies but how do we get it to them?

“Pray with us that the government can coordinate the aid coming from different countries and that they will be used in the most efficient way. Help is mostly going to the cities but the villages need help too.

“Pray with us that Turkish churches outside the zone and wanting to help will be led by the Lord as to how they can help and where they should go.”