A Cornwall-based disaster relief charity with teams helping the survivors of the earthquake that devastated Turkey and Syria says people in the stricken region may need help for years.

ShelterBox, which is based in Truro, has sent relief teams to the Turkish city of Gaziantep to provide supplies including blankets, water filters, tanks and containers.

The death toll from last week’s disaster so far stands at almost 40,000 people.

ShelterBox’s aid is being provided to affected areas in the two countries.

The charity says: “We will be providing tents to help people to shelter from the winter weather, prevent the spread of disease, and gain some privacy.

“We’re providing thousands of blankets and expect items like solar lights and mattresses to be needed.

“And we are also distributing warm children’s clothing in northern Syria.

“The conditions are challenging and our emergency response teams are working around the clock to get aid to Turkey and Syria.”

The charity has set up a donations page at shelterbox.org/turkey-earthquake