Aid agencies and governments stepped up a scramble on Tuesday to send help to parts of Turkey and Syria devastated by an earthquake, but a week after the disaster many complained they still were struggling to meet basic needs, like finding shelter from the bitter cold.

The situation was particularly desperate in Syria, where a 12-year civil war has complicated relief efforts and meant days of wrangling over how to even move aid into the country, let alone distribute it. Some people there who lost their homes said they have received nothing.

In Turkey, meanwhile, several families crowded into tents meant for just one. On Monday, the UN announced a deal with Damascus to deliver UN. aid to through two more border crossings from Turkey to rebel-held areas of northwest Syria — but the needs remain enormous.

Ahmed Ismail Suleiman set up a shelter of blankets outside his damaged house in the town of Jinderis, one of the worst-hit communities in northwest Syria. He is afraid to move his family back into a house that might not be structurally sound — but that he cannot afford to repair.

So, for now 18 family members sleep outside in the small makeshift tent. “We sit but can’t sleep lying down here,” he said.

“We are waiting for a proper tent.” Mahmoud Haffar, head of local council in Jinderis, said that locals have been able to scrounge up about 2,500 tents so far, but some 1,500 families still remain without shelter — as nighttime temperatures fall to around minus 4° Celsius.

While tents have been in short supply, one woman said the town has a surplus of donated bread and water.