With a shift of the earth... over 74,000 dead.

Almost 3,000,000... homeless.

Devastation beyond comprehension.

On October 8, 2005, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck northern Pakistan and India, causing widespread destruction and death. The quake and subsequent aftershocks leveled entire villages and destroyed much of the provincial capital of Muzaffarabad. The survivors lost everything: their homes, their livelihoods, their belongings, and even their loved ones.

Twenty-year-old Leveed was visiting with his mother when the deadly earthquake hit. He described hearing a deep rumbling sound followed by severe shaking. Alarmed, he hurried to the door to discover what was happening. Quickly realizing that an earthquake was striking the city, he ran back inside to help his mother outside to safety. Within moments, their house was severely damaged, and the earthquake had leveled 80% of the city.

Leveed quietly explained that they had also lost loved ones. "My older brother died while working in a government office. My younger sixteen-year-old brother was at school when the earthquake hit. The school building collapsed and 500 children were crushed inside. My brother was hit by a large concrete slab, but was able to crawl out from the ruins. He was able to walk but was suffering from severe pain. There was no one to help us." With tears in his eyes, Leveed described how his brother finally died in his arms after eight long hours of desperate searching for medical attention.