The Archbishop of Canterbury has called on Anglicans to offer their prayers and financial support to help earthquake victims.

The Rt Hon Justin Welby expressed his "profound condolence and solidarity" for the people of Turkey and Syria, following last week's disaster which has killed over 41,000 people.

In a statement to the Anglican church, he encouraged Christians to continue praying for the relief effort and to "back up" their prayers with "generosity and care".

"As we continue to hear of the terrible loss, suffering and trauma of those affected by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, I continue to call out to God in prayer for those who have been so terribly bereaved, and all those struggling to find warmth, food and shelter.

"I continue to express my profound condolence and solidarity with the people of Turkey and Syria, including those who have endured many years of conflict and hardship before these events," he said.

A fund has been set up by the Church's Disasters Emergency Committee to offer urgent relief to those who need it. Welby called on "Anglicans around the world" to pray for those affected by the earthquake and to "support relief efforts."

"It is at moments like this when words are insufficient to express the unimaginable suffering before us. We struggle to comprehend how such tragedies can happen. But we do know that the crucified God shares in the depths of human suffering.

"We can reflect that solidarity by recommitting ourselves to the love and mercy of God in Christ, backing up our prayers with our generosity and care."

 The World Health Organisation has described the natural disaster as the worst in 100 years.