Although attending NGOs represent women, indigenous groups, youth, labor, faith, and human rights, if you identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or gender nonconforming (LGBTQ/GNC) you will be hard-pressed to find formal green alliances.

If there is one thing I learned during this tragic event, it is that the world is full of kind-hearted, generous souls, willing to extend a hand and risk their own safety to help others in need. And our story is just one of hundreds of thousands; many are yet to be heard.

Experts are calling for a closer monitoring system of how aid funds are being spent.