A non-governmental organization in Japan is calling for support for people in quake-hit areas in southern Turkey. The body says people there have difficulty getting food.

The Tokyo-based PARC Interpeoples' Cooperation, or PARCIC, has sent its Japanese staff to the southern Turkish city of Gaziantep near the epicenter of Monday's devastating quake.

An image taken by the staff in the city shows parts of walls on a building fallen and huge cracks in the walls. Another shows many shops with their shutters closed.

A PARCIC official cites information from its staff in Gaziantep that many people have evacuated to mosques and schools as buildings could collapse, but restaurants are closed and evacuees are having difficulty preparing food.

The staff also reportedly says although meals are served there, food aid is vital. The staff plans to distribute food in cooperation with other organizations.

Oguri Sayaka at PARCIC says since the latest disaster is devastating and there are many refugees in the affected areas, it would be a long way for reconstruction, and long-term support is needed.

The organization is accepting donations on its website, saying they will use the funds to buy food and daily supplies for the afflicted people.