The death toll from Monday's earthquake in Turkey and Syria has now passed 21,000.

Among the dead are 26 workers from the Irish charity Goal - which has long operated in the region. 

Goal CEO Siobhan Walsh said it was an unprecedented loss for the organisation. 

"To say it has been a profoundly difficult week for the Goal teams in Turkey and Syria cannot be overstated," she said.

"Because of the sheer geography of destruction, and Goal's long-term presence in the communities so severely impacted, the scale of loss is far beyond anything we could have ever imagined.

"Goal staff across the region have also lost family members, sustained life-altering injuries and lost their homes.”

Adana, Turkey. 6th Feb, 2023. Search and rescue efforts. (Credit Image: © Tolga Ildun/ZUMA Press Wire)

UNICEF Executive Director Peter Power said it has been a huge challenge to get aid to those most affected.

“The problem is that so much infrastructure has been destroyed - including roads, water treatment plants and water services,” he said. 

“So, it’s very hard to get humanitarian aid into the more remote areas. 

“So, for example, in Aleppo [in Syria] we’re actually trucking in water now.” 

2N39TW2 People and emergency teams search for survivors in the rubble of a destroyed building, in Iskenderun, Turkey, February 7, 2023. A powerful earthquake

Yesterday, Turkey’s Ambassador to Ireland said that the Irish people have been “wonderful” in their response to the crisis. 

“Our Embassy, yesterday morning, started a campaign and we are collecting donations at the Embassy,” Ambassador Olcay told Newstalk Breakfast. 

“Yesterday, we sent four tons of aid with Turkish Airlines and today we will be sending even more in the course of the day. 

“The people of Ireland have been wonderful in responding to our call - including the Turkish community which lives here. 

“We are overwhelmed with the support that we are getting.”

Main image: February 7, 2023: Search and rescue efforts. (Credit Image: © Tolga Ildun/ZUMA Press Wire)