Aleksandra Kossowska – Photojournalist Based in Warsaw

Rubble - that's all that's left of the Turkish-Syrian border towns devastated by the earthquake in the early hours of February 6. The disaster was massive: it affected 11 provinces and over 13 million people. According to the government, at least 51,000 people were killed under the rubble and over 108,000 injured. The disaster area was hit by heavy rains and severe flooding.In Antakya, the city closest to the Syrian border, nearly all buildings collapsed as a result of the earthquake. The city of a quarter of a million people is now almost extinct and covered with piles of rubble, two months after the tragedy. The buildings that are still standing are still dangerous and most are scheduled for demolition. Evacuated houses cannot be entered. The military is guarding the rubble, as there are more and more looters. A state of emergency is in effect.More than two million survivors of the earthquake, known in Turkey as "depremdeze," have already migrated to other provinces. Syrians, who are banned from settling outside their provinces, must remain local. In practice, this means that they cannot leave the ruins. Tent and container settlements have sprung up near and on the outskirts of Antioch, built by the survivors themselves or by AFAD (Agency for Disaster and Emergency Management). Mini-settlements are also being built near main roads, gas stations, churches, schools, mosques and markets.The standards for distributing humanitarian aid are not the same for everyone. Provinces where people vote for the ruling party and certain social groups are given preference. Others have to take care of their own security and have difficulties in receiving medical aid, food, equipment and clothing. Despite the tragedy and daily difficulties, everyone is trying to return to a normal life, hoping to return soon to rebuilt homes.

"We ask your forgiveness and we give you ours," this prayer for the dead and another comment criticizing the slowness of President Redzep Tajip Erdoğan's government in helping the victims, "We came here to save lives, not to mine coal," this comment was left by rescuers on the door of a car covered in rubble in Antakya.