Raed Al Saleh, Head of White Helmets, Syria’s Volunteer Rescue Workers

My team of volunteer rescue workers have been saving lives from under the rubble in Syria for 9 years. Yesterday’s earthquake left the worst destruction we have ever seen. We are working non-stop to rescue survivors from under the rubble, please help us save more lives.

We still hear cries for help from those trapped under the rubble. Many of our own families and neighbours have not survived. Thousands are dead. Thousands more are missing.

We are doing all we can but we need your help. Our existing equipment and supplies are not enough to cope with this disaster.

We need fuel and spare parts for ambulances, more heavy lifting equipment to clear the rubble and secure areas. We can’t imagine how long this response and recovery operation will take, but with your support we can provide more help to people who have lost everything.

This earthquake would be a disaster anywhere. In Northern Syria, where millions live in buildings weakened by years of bombing and the hospital system has been destroyed by the Assad regime and Russia, it's unimaginable.