As the estimate of those killed by yesterday's earthquake nears 20,000 in Pakistan alone, it becomes increasingly difficult to get one's mind around the scope of the horror being experienced in the region.  Landslides which followed the quake, as well as aftershocks, have made rescue efforts all the more difficult.

In the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan, the hardest hit area, only a handful of buildings remain standing in the town of Balakot.  Pictures of the devastation are eerily reminiscent of Katrina's aftermath, only on a scale orders of magnitude larger.

As international aid begins to make its way to the region in the form of manpower, equipment, supplies, rescue animals and money, the world watches in shock.

Pakistan appears to have taken the brunt of the quake.  Even India, Pakistan's long-time rival, has offered whatever assistance it can provide to the ongoing rescue and recovery efforts.

Karam Umrani, a 28-year-old member of the Islamabad police force, has been helping with efforts there to save those trapped in the quake's aftermath.  When asked about his experiences, he said, "The cries of those trapped haunt me."  How could they not?

We may all ask how we are to help when we have helped so many before (the tsunami, Katrina and Rita, the destruction in Mexico and Central America from recent torrential rains, and the list goes on).  What more can we possibly give?

There is always more.

I can only say that this is no time to count pennies.  Skip your Starbucks for the next week and donate that money.  Forego driving your gas-guzzling SUV unnecessarily and donate the money you would have otherwise spent on gas.  Dip into your savings.  Crack open the piggy bank.  Do whatever it takes to assist.

It is often in the worst of times that we see both the best and most horrific examples of humanity (think New Orleans snipers after Katrina).  This should not be any different when it comes to displays of the best we humans have to offer.