Thousands of people have been killed and even more left in desperate need of help by the earthquake which shook north west Turkey. Among the needy are women and children.

UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, is contributing to the international response to this emergency and is appealing for a total of £125,000 to provide essential supplies for the worst affected areas.

UNICEF will be providing oral rehydration salts to help prevent diarrhoea, water purification tablets, water containers, tents, plastic sheeting, collapsible beds, generators and emergency health kits.

This action follows a UNICEF assessment visit to the disaster zone which found many people living in the open air because their homes had either been destroyed or were feared to be unstable.

There is also concern about future aftershocks.

UNICEF hopes its emergency response will have a real impact on the health and well-being of many children at risk and is calling upon local people to support its efforts.

A course of oral rehydration salts to treat 100 children suffering from acute gastric illnesses costs just £35.

All donations will be gratefully received.

Please send them to UNICEF, Room TK, 54 West End, Strensall, York YO32 5UH.

Sandra Howarth,

Regional Officer - North East,

West End,

Strensall,

York

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