Amid the chaos and destruction that has hit the Turkish-Syrian border, I stand among the ruins of once prosperous cities, now turned into only broken dreams and memories. The 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck the region early on Monday morning left an indelible mark on this land, taking thousands of lives and leaving hundreds of thousands homeless.
I arrived in Gaziantep, #Turkey, at the epicenter of the earthquake, just a few hours after it happened. The sight was nothing short of a disaster. Buildings lay in ruins, rubble and debris strewn across the streets. Cars were lying upside down, and roads were blocked by falling debris, which made it difficult for rescuers to reach those in need. The cold and rainy weather only worsened the suffering of those who were trying to survive after the disaster.
As I walked through the city, I met people crowding the streets waiting for help. Many lost their homes and were left with nothing but clothes on their backs. Their expressions were a mixture of fear, shock and disbelief. Children were crying, and elderly people were shaking with fear, unable to understand what had just happened.Rescue efforts continued, and groups of volunteers and international humanitarian workers arrived from all over the world to help. They worked tirelessly, pulling survivors out from under the rubble, and despite the difficult conditions, their mood remained upbeat. I saw a man digging through the rubble with his bare hands in search of his family, and a crying woman who was rescued from the wreckage of her once beautiful home.