Following last week's devasating earthquake which rocked Haiti, Progressio staff in the region are working flat out to assist the relief effort and help local partner organisations mobilise assistance to millions of Haitians.
From their base in neighbouring Domincan Republic, Progressio development workers are now jointly coordinating a team of local NGOs and organisations. Most have been pulled off normal duties for the foreseeable future - with some staff being directly deployed to Haitian capital Port-au-Prince.
Jose Manuel Moreno, a communications specialist with Progressio partner Centro Bono, has recently arrived in the Haitian capital and confirmed operations are now underway.
Gloria Donate, a Progressio staff member in Santo Domingo, said: "Basically the needs are all: food, water, candles, shelters, blankets, hygiene, fuel, communication devices. It is important that the help should not only be directed to Port-au-Prince but also Jacmel and other communities in the south which were hit even harder."
It is now almost a week since the quake struck, with news media estimating death tolls at hundreds of thousands. In the capital and other towns in the south of the country, people are desperately struggling to find food, water and medical assistance.
Progressio has launched an appeal for funds to help the immediate needs and long-term reconstruction, please make a donation now.
Progressio has worked in Haiti for many years and operates primarily in the border areas between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, partnering with local organisations to promote the needs and rights of Haitian migrants who live and work in the Dominican Republic.