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Hundreds of thousands are sheltering in tents, breathing air thick with pollutants unleashed from tombs of rubble, fearful that a new disaster could strike at any moment.

More than 43,000 deaths in Turkey from an earthquake have raised painful and angry questions over whether some of those fatalities could have been avoided with better building standards.

In the third week of a grueling effort, emergency workers battle exhaustion as the hope of finding more earthquake survivors dwindles. A powerful new quake has complicated their task.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken pledged to keep helping Turkey recover from a devastating earthquake, but there were few hints of progress on disputes over F-16 sales and NATO.

For now, the Turkish government is relying on short-term solutions to house an estimated one million who are crowding into gyms, hotels and dormitories. A cruise ship is set to arrive to house thousands.

Erzin survived last week’s 7.8-magnitude quake with no casualties and little damage. The mayor credited his enforcement of building standards, but scientists say it is more likely about geology.

Residents of Adiyaman, hit hard by the quake, hold impromptu vigils while they await news of relatives still under the rubble, feeding wood from shattered cupboards into fires to keep warm.

The Syrian administration of a key border crossing into opposition-held territory in northwestern Syria said that Turkey would allow Syrians to leave the country and then return. Thousands flocked to the border.

Cities are a form of life and they need constant care to stay strong. They didn’t get that care in Turkey.

In rural southern Turkey, some villages were cut off from aid for days, and locals were left to fend for themselves.