'People have nothing. We need food and blankets'

Wisam Asifa, 37, a British-Syrian dual citizen, has been walking the streets of Aleppo, in northern Syria, since the huge earthquake, which has left at least 20,000 dead in Syria and Turkey. He described to Jedidajah Otte his experience of living through the deadly quake - and the struggle to cope with the aftermath.

"I am lucky to have my pyjamas, boots and a parka. The situation is catastrophic here. You can't imagine the destruction," he said.

"I have seen eight people being pulled dead from the rubble, and none being pulled out alive. Others I heard shouting for help. Locals are digging, civilians are using their trucks, we have no bulldozers, little fuel. My priest from my Orthodox church and a family friend are still under rubble."

Usually based in Beirut, Afisa, who works for a British education firm, was visiting relatives with his girlfriend when Monday's earthquake hit, causing the family to frantically flee their homes.

As a result of the earthquake, at least 3,162 people have been confirmed dead in Syria, with government-held areas reporting 1,262 people dead and 1,900 killed in the rebel-controlled north-west. The combined tally in Turkey and Syria last night stood at more than 20,000, and experts warned that the figure is likely to rise.