While international aid groups, foreign militaries, and the United Nations pursue a massive relief effort in Haiti, a second track of assistance has developed, made up of individuals and small groups acting on their own, the Associated Press reports.

The independent operators say they can get emergency supplies such as water and supplies for temporary shelters to Haitians faster and more cheaply than a global aid effort that they characterize as lumbering and inefficient. For example, Michael Capponi, a Miami property developer and Haiti volunteer, said he was able to build a tent camp in one community in three days for $5,000.

Government officials and established relief agencies say they welcome the additional help but that such small-scale efforts are far too minimal to meet the island’s massive post-quake needs.

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