Moray's Turkish community 'heartbroken' over earthquake
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Moray's Turkish community have spoken of their sadness at the dreadful earthquake that has hit their homeland.
More than 11,000 people have been declared dead in the aftermath of the two huge quakes that rocked the country on Monday, with thousands more still unaccounted for.
Large portions of south-east Turkey and northern Syria have been devastated.
With daytime temperatures below zero, many survivors have been left without shelter, electricity, food or water.
Adem Altiner, who works at Istanbul Barbers in Elgin, has friends who have joined a convoy being organised in the city of Konya in central Turkey.
This convoy is transporting much-needed supplies 200 miles from Konya to the earthquake zone.
Adem, who was born in Scotland, said: "Everyone is doing all they can to help, but they've been asked to join official convoys because the roads are becoming so busy that ambulances are getting stuck.
"It's snowing there right now and people need blankets. They need food and medical supplies. They need everything."
Adem's father, Mustafa, states he watched the rolling news on television all the way through the night.
He said: "Ten big cities in Turkey have been hit ... so many people.
"I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy what's happened to the people who live there.
"It's heartbreaking. Devastating."
Huseyin Demirbas runs Cut Art, another Turkish barbers in Elgin.
His brother-in-law's family reside within the region affected.
Fortunately, he's heard through his sister that everyone is safe and well.
Huseyin said: "Everyone has been asked not to phone if they already know their family members are safe
"They are using mobiles to try contact the people buried under the buildings.
"If people phone it could interfere with the rescue efforts.
"So it's difficult to know what's going on.
"But the images on TV are not good. It's very hard to watch."
A number of charities and organisations based in the region are taking donations.
Here are the charities working to help those affected.
The Red Cross
The Turkish Red Crescent and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent are both part of the International Red Cross charity. Each are helping to evacuate residents and provide basic essentials like hot food, water, tents and blankets to those who have lost their homes. They’re also dispatching blood stocks to hospitals treating injured patients and deploying ambulances.
You can donate to the appeal here
Save the Children
The charity are putting teams on the ground to help provide shelter, water and warm clothing for kids as temperatures drop.
You can donate to the Children’s Emergency Fund here.
Oxfam
A spokesperson from the charity said: "People are still in shock and fear, they don’t even have time to mourn the lost ones.
"It is horrifying to contemplate how people will cope, given that some areas are even now in snow."
You can donate to support the people of Turkey and Syria now.
AFAD Turkey
The official disaster management authority in the country, AFAD is taking donations directly into governmental accounts in order to support the relief effort.
AKUT Turkey
This NGO is a Turkish search and rescue organisation on the ground. An entirely voluntary group with no political affiliation you can donate to the cause here.
Doctors Without Borders
Hospitals in the region are overwhelmed and some have been destroyed. Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) are providing ambulances, equipment and doctors in the region.
You can donate to support them here.
AHBAP
NGO AHBAP is a cooperative group of philanthropists in Turkey who provide food, shelter and medical supplies to those in need.
You can support the efforts with the earthquake here.
