It's been a raw week for John Green, who has spent days waiting to send his Ottawa-based rescue company to Haiti. 

They will finally get the chance to help on Tuesday, carrying what chainsaws and explosives they can.

His company is dubbed International Rescue, and they've seen action in 9/11, the Indonesian tsunami five years ago, and in Italian and Chinese earthquakes.

"We want to get in there and make a difference," says Green, adding that this mission will be the most challenging yet.

"This will be the worst; we have no infrastructure when we get down there."

Difficult to ship out non-monetary donations

While Green brings down his heavy equipment and a Bobcat, fundraisers such as one on Brittany Drive on Sunday focused on finding toiletries, clothes and blankets for the affected.

"It's heartbreaking, and why not do something here," says Edmi Michel, a Haitian-Canadian.

"Even the smallest thing I can do, (I want to) find a way to bring that to them."

Aid agencies only ask for monetary donations at this point -- they say it's faster and more effective than physical items -- so these goods will be placed on standby until they are requested.

Officials at the Trinity Bible Church are collecting donations for International Rescue.

Problems escalate in Haiti

The situation in Haiti is worrying the United Nations as international aid agencies struggle to get supplies and medicine to those still living in the streets. Some have gone days with little food or water.

Reports of looting, robbery and violence are gripping parts of Port-au-Prince, with some people being brazenly hurt and killed in front of journalists reporting on scene in the devastated capital.

The magnitude-7.0 earthquake Jan. 12 demolished most of the infrastructure in Haiti's capital city, flattening landmarks like the presidential palace and the United Nations headquarters.

Canada is readying to send 1,000 troops from Valcartier, Que. on Monday in an effort to help stabilize the region.

Tens of thousands are still unaccounted for, including at least 1,115 Canadians.

With a report from CTV Ottawa's Joanne Schnurr