It's really tragic, much more than what I though it was yesterday. So far 20,000 people have been reported killed. Growing up in Lahore I have myself experienced a handfull of earthquakes that mostly originated in Afghanistan or near the Afghan border. But never something that was this far in the most populated regoins of the country. I called my parents to make sure everything was ok at home. Thank God it is.

Anyway, it's a time when this country really needs help, especially financially. Although I highly doubt that the corruption that prevails in that part of the world will come in to play during this time of tragedy, but still I'd like to say that one motivated to donate any amount must do it only to reputable organizations, such as the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) or the many Pakistani Banks that have branches abroad, like the Habib American Bank, United Bank and the National Bank of Pakistan. You may also want to check out CNN's list of aid agencies working with the earthquake relief effort here.

Frankly, I'd recommend staying away from donating to religious organizations or putting your cash in collection boxes at Mosques. Because the last thing people need is charity money going in to the wrong hands. Oh, and of course, the mullahs will blame this tragedy on people not being religious enough.