Jet2holidays has donated £50,000 to directly support aid efforts in Turkey, with the money set to be put towards buying emergency supplies for those affected by the disaster and subsidising fuel costs. It has also liaised with its local agent in Turkey to make 100 transfer coaches available.

These coaches have been loaded with food, water, hygiene products and portable heaters and will make their way from Jet2holidays’ resorts in Turkey on Friday night (10 February) to the disaster zone in and around the south-eastern Turkish city of Gaziantep.

Jet2holidays chief executive Steve Heapy said: “Our thoughts go out to everybody in the region following the truly terrible events this week. We have been in constant dialogue with our partners on the ground in Turkey to find out exactly how we can help in the most direct and immediate way possible.

"They have been very clear transport, food, water, heat and hygiene products are what is required more than anything, which is why we are making our coaches available right now, along with direct funding for much-needed supplies. Following the devastating events this week, people need help now, not tomorrow or next week, and we believe this is the best way for us to make a direct and immediate impact."

Tui, meanwhile, has dispatched a fleet of 11 buses to the region, which are being used to transport supplies to earthquake-hit areas and evacuate residents to hotels in Antalya.

Each bus is being staffed by two drivers and a volunteer colleague, with passengers getting a set menu. The effort is being overseen by Tui’s Musement division, in partnership with Tursab – the association of Turkish travel agents – and Antalya’s local government.

The first bus was scheduled to depart Hatay on Thursday evening (9 February), with the second and third scheduled to depart Maras and Adyaman soon after. Tui said local authorities had met with transport companies to discuss vehicle requests, with Musement in attendance.

In addition, Tui’s Turkish hotels and resorts subsidiary has opened its Pegasos resort as a guest home for earthquake victims, providing them with three meals a day. Support is being managed by local authorities and relevant aid agencies.

The Tui Care Foundation, meanwhile, is matching all donations to its emergency relief fund appeal.

“We are devastated to hear of the scale of the disaster in Turkey and the massive impact it has had on thousands of people," said Tui UK and Ireland managing director Andrew Flintham. "As a travel provider who operates in the country, it is essential for us to contribute to relief efforts and help the people who have lost their homes and are in desperate need of support.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who has been affected by the earthquake.”