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OTTUMWA, IOWA -- Local efforts are still underway to help in the disaster recovery in Haiti.

Captain Paul Ferguson of the Ottumwa Salvation Army said that between $3,000 to $4,000 has been raised, and he expressed appreciation to the community.

The Salvation Army has had a presence in Haiti for 60 years, and the compound there had 8 buildings on it...four are still standing but are unsafe, and will need to be leveled.

"And so we already have the infrastructure there, although it's been badly devastated too. And so we can get the money directly to them. So if anyone brings us any money, 100 percent of that will go. Nothing stays here for administration, I just put it in the mail to our headquarters and it goes straight to Haiti," Captain Ferguson said.

He added that sending monetary donations is even better than sending clothing or other food items due to issues with shipping these items into Haiti.

"It would almost be better to keep those here and to serve those in need right here in Ottumwa and Wapello County and southern Iowa, whereas money can be used again. They can purchase things from the countries right around them from other Caribbean nations, from the southern U.S. and we can get it there faster than we get it to them from here," Captain Ferguson said.

He also said that he is in frequent contact with people in The Salvation Army who are currently serving in the Haitian relief effort.

"With the level of devastation, it's almost impossible to see daily progress. It's going to be months before they see any kind of deep foundational progress. Right now it's still in the emergency phase. They're still finding people and unfortunately now, there are still few miracle cases and people are holding out hope for there will be a few more, but that's really where it's at now," Captain Ferguson said.

KTVO also spoke with The American Red Cross in Ottumwa on Friday. Officials said that they are "approaching $5,000 in donated funds. Officials there also agree that monetary donations are the fastest and most efficient way of supporting the relief effort in Haiti instead of mailing clothing and other items.