SOMERSET Freemasons have contributed £60,000 to support survivors of the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria.

The group has donated the money to the British Red Cross, UK for UNHCR and UNICEF, which are leading the relief effort on the ground.

The money will help survivors receive vital emergency supplies. Other Freemasons from across the country are also sending financial support. 

More than 16,000 people are confirmed to have died in the two earthquakes, which have devastated large areas of south west Turkey and across the border in Syria.

Tens of thousands of survivors are sleeping in the open in temperatures which have fallen well below zero. Snow is falling in some places as the region experiences colder than average winter weather that is hampering rescue efforts.

Damage from the quake has affected at least seven provinces in Turkey as well as across northwest Syria.

Thousands of homes have been destroyed, displacing families, and schools, hospitals, and other medical and educational facilities will have been damaged or destroyed by the quakes.

Luke Tredget, head of emergencies from the British Red Cross, said: “We’re very grateful for this generous grant which will allow us to provide immediate emergency relief to people who are in desperate need.

“This disaster has devastated vast areas of both countries and left millions of people in urgent need of help.”

Graham Puddy, of Somerset’s Freemasons, said: “I’m very pleased we’ve been able to help the Red Cross, UNICEF and the UNHCR with their relief effort following this terrible earthquake.

“Many thousands of people are in very urgent need of assistance and I’m proud that Freemasons are providing essential support to charities on the ground working with survivors.”

The grant comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons and their families and friends from across England and Wales.