On Feb. 6, two devastating earthquakes with a magnitude of 7.8 and 7.5 occurred in Turkey and neighboring Syria. This event is now called the Kahramanmaraş Earthquake Sequence. With over 50,000 people killed, over 100,000 injured, and over 1.5 million made homeless, this earthquake sequence ranks as one of the most destructive natural disasters in this century so far. Many of these deaths were caused by buildings not being kept to a strict code.

Several cities were completely destroyed. An imam estimated that 40% of the city of Nurdaği has died. Mass graves were constructed to bury the overwhelming number of bodies.

In the city of Antakya, thousands of buildings collapsed, including several historical sites.

Countries all around the world sent aid to Turkey in the wake of the disaster, from sending workers to dig people out, to medics to heal the injured, to sending tents and other care packages. The border between Armenia and Turkey opened for the first time since the Armenian earthquake in 1988, and Armenia has been sending aid, as well.

Just when people thought the worst was over, however, an aftershock struck on Feb. 20 with a magnitude of 6.8. This knocked over many buildings still standing and caused more uncertainty among the people. Hundreds of thousands have been sleeping in tents in the freezing weather. People are trying to make sense of their new lives after the earthquakes took their homes and their loved ones.

People all across the world have stepped up to help Turkey by offering their service and financial support. If you want to donate to the relief efforts, click here.