A HUMANITARIAN response charity in Salisbury has deployed three teams of volunteers following a catastrophic earthquake in Morocco.

Responders from REACT, based in Chilmark, ventured to some of the hardest-hit mountain villages.

It has been just over one week since a 6.8 magnitude quake struck Morocco, killing almost 3,000 people with hundreds of thousands more critically injured.

The destruction of countless homes has left men, women and children without somewhere safe to sleep as temperatures at night drop below freezing.

REACT CEO Toby Wicks said: "The affected population need places to stay because so many homes have been destroyed.

Read more: ​Mr Beans Coffee in Salisbury burgled for second time

"It's also getting very cold at night high on the Atlas mountains, about 2000m (6561 ft) in altitude so people need blankets and weatherproof shelter to keep warm."

Salisbury Journal: The REACT team organise their plan for the day.The REACT team organise their plan for the day. (Image: REACT)

Three response teams are currently stationed in the village of Amizmiz, in the foothills of the Atlas mountains, about 60km (37 miles) south-west of Marrakech.

They are primarily focused on trying to access the hardest-to-reach and most vulnerable populations affected by the earthquake.

Mr Wicks said its top three areas of focus were shelter, sanitation and protection.

See more: ​Inquest: Soldier William Beal died on A30 after crashing his BMW

"Having survived the earthquake, the most pressing needs are to keep these families safe and healthy. Sanitation is a major issue and also protection - people need to be safe where they are sheltering."

Mr Wicks added that his time in Morocco had been a conflicting experience.

"It's bittersweet seeing and hearing the carnage, hearing people's stories. But it's also been really inspiring to see the resilience of the Moroccan communities," he said.

Salisbury Journal: The team has worked with locals to dig latrines.The team has worked with locals to dig latrines. (Image: REACT)

He continued: "It is inspiring to see so many local NGOs stepping up and local authorities leading that response with the earthquake and it is such a privilege for us to be able to support and accentuate that response.”

“That said, there is still so much to do and we could really do with the support of the general public.

"Please consider donating to our Morocco Earthquake Appeal to support the response and help people still in dire need.”

For more information about REACT's Morocco Earthquake Appeal visit re-act.org.uk/morocco-earthquake-appeal.