More than three days have passed since the earthquake and time to find more survivors is running out.
- Regardless of whether there is a chance or not, we will not give up, says Gabriel Karlsson.
Many of those affected are already internal refugees from the long-running armed conflict that is ongoing in Syria.
Great risk of Cholera
Now the aid workers are doing everything they can to quickly provide people with blankets, food and clean water.
But when the lack of clean water becomes even greater, additional dangers come.
- We have had cholera here in Syria since August.
The cholera risk is a factor now along with several others.
The Swedish people have contributed
Gabriel Karlsson says that the Swedish people have been generous in their response to the Red Cross collection and they have been able to contribute with large necessities such as food, water, blankets, ambulances and rent for families who have managed to find new accommodation.
But there is much work to be done.
- Now the dead need to be properly identified so that families can be reunited, dead or alive.
This humanitarian effort is not about days or weeks but months, if not years, says Gabriel Karlsson.