Earthquake

The United Nations has complained that Nepal's bureaucracy is getting in the way of relief efforts. Government officials in Kathmandu say they aren't receiving enough of the right kind of aid.

Volunteers are eager to lend a hand as the country recovers from the earthquake. That's a noble intention — but it could backfire.

For five days, a teenager in Kathmandu was covered in the rubble of a seven-story building that was hit by Saturday's powerful tremor. On Thursday, rescue crews pulled him to safety.

Kevin Bubriski came as a Peace Corps volunteer in 1975, camera in hand, and has taken photos of daily life for 40 years: monks, haircuts, schoolgirls in a village that was at the quake's epicenter.

The earlier you give, the better. In the days after a disaster, outside help is critical. But you need to be careful. For example, you might think twice if a charity hasn't worked in Nepal till now.

"It would be so much more convenient if the earthquake would send us an email in advance with all the details of its arrival," a fearful Lucas told his mother, a journalist.

Tech and telecom companies stepped up with much needed services. Facebook and Google offered tools to help those in the region let family and friends know they're OK. Other firms cut calling costs.

The human toll of the weekend disaster is overwhelming, but the temblor also damaged some of Kathmandu's historic structures.