The death toll has climbed to nearly 12,000 following the Monday tremors in Turkey and Syria. A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake has left a path of utter devastation in its wake. Civil authorities from both Turkey and Syria are now leading recovery and rescue efforts, working long hours with dwindling hope for survivors as the region was already facing the challenges of a humanitarian crisis.

Cold weather, limited infrastructure, and a lack of adequate aid are found to have contributed heavily to the rising death toll in both countries. Haunts of the 2001 Gujarat, India and 2010 Haiti quakes are made fresh in these terrible images and video.

In the same vein, it is the heroic local Non-governmental Organizations, anonymous volunteers, and resourceful village residents that have provided the most support and relief to victims of this tragedy after the initial shock and destructions.

Families are displacing and burials are beginning, as