On April 6, 2009, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.3 shook central Italy around 3:30 a.m. It happened in the mountainous Abruzzo region east of Rome. The epicenter was in L'Aquila, a picturesque Medieval fortress hill town.

By April 9, the number of dead from the earthquake had risen to 281. The final death toll of 287 is only on piece of the shattered region's tragic tale. To date, there are still injured with livelong physical burdens to bear, 50,000 homeless and 10,000 buildings damaged or destroyed in the L'Aquila area.

It is a region that is struck by bitter cold and the already freezing temperatures mean continued suffering for the 6,900 still living in tents while they wait to move into their new homes.

Funds have been allocated, relief has arrived, but it is simply not enough to provide what this torn region needs to stand again.

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