They are taking refuge anywhere they can: in schools turned into shelters, unused buildings and parks.

Tens of thousands of Syrians, mostly Kurds, are attempting to flee fighters from the Islamic State militant movement, pouring over the border into Turkey.

Many local Turks want to help, but still there are concerns.

One local Turkish man told Euronews: “It’s good to have these shelters. Because they will be in a terrible condition if left in the streets. It would effect us too. I have two kids to raise. I could lose my job because of the refugees. Their labor is cheap. Because of them we lose our jobs.”

In the small town of Suruc, and others nearby, locals are struggling to cope with the numbers arriving.

The Mayor of Urfa, Celalettin Güvenç, addressed a crowd: “We are trying to make things right with the support of the people, with the support of you. We are using all of our strength to help them. “

Getting food, water and shelter for those who have walked long distances across the border is a priority for officials.

Euronews correspondent Bora Bayraktar reported from a refugee camp: “For the refugees who fled Syria, fearing a massacre by the Islamic State militant group, many makeshift camps have been established. I’m standing here in one of them. Every minute new people arrive, taking the first steps of a new life, about which they have no idea, and they don’t know how long it will last.”