In just two weeks, more than £100 million has been raised for an aid appeal for earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria.
The fundraising effort was coordinated by the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), an umbrella organization of charities in the UK.
On February 6, there were significant earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria, causing over 44,000 fatalities and over 100,000 injuries.
Another earthquake of 6 point 4 magnitude struck Turkey this week, close to the city of Antakya, killing at least six people.
The UN estimates that 1 million, five hundred thousand people are now without a place to live as a result of the earthquakes in southern Turkey.
In Turkey and Syria, thousands of structures, including hospitals and schools, have collapsed. Roads and energy supplies are among the infrastructure that has been severely damaged.
The DEC campaign, which was introduced on television and radio on February 9, has so far raised £101.5 million.
Celebrities like Daniel Craig, Tamsin Greig, Sir Michael Palin, and Reverend Richard Coles have endorsed it.
According to the organization, funds raised would be used to "provide clean water, safe spaces for children, emergency shelter, medical care, hot food and food parcels, blankets, bedding, and other household items.".
King Charles, the Queen Consort, and the Prince and Princess of Wales all made private donations to the cause.
Through its UK Aid Match program, which matches donations made to charitable causes, the UK government has also made a $5 million contribution to the fund.
Chief Executive Officer of the DEC Saleh Saeed stated that the public "again excelled and supported people when they needed it most.".
"With a third earthquake, people become frightened once more. If they stay standing, they are afraid to be in their own homes and worried that they won't be able to support their families because they have nowhere to go for work, the man said.
The public's reaction, according to actor Daniel Craig, has been "incredibly moving to see," and according to Sir Michael Palin, the crisis is "deepening" for many people in Turkey and Syria.
It's difficult to understand how families are coping because it's so cold in Turkey and northwest Syria, he said.
- 15 top UK charities are represented on the committee, which provides and distributes aid to ensure the success of appeals.
- Oxfam, Save the Children UK, Age International, British Red Cross, Cafod, Christian Aid, and Islamic Relief are a few of the charities listed.
- More information about its current appeals is available on its website.
