People across Scotland have now donated almost £7.5 million to the Disasters Emergency Committee's Haiti Earthquake Appeal.

The generosity has helped the aid agencies that make up the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) in Scotland to reach hundreds of thousands of people with emergency relief, including food, clean water and medical services.

Yet huge challenges remain, including a continued need for emergency shelter and latrines to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases. The rainy season in Haiti is due from April to June, and will be followed by the hurricane season.

Gerry McLaughlin, Chair of the DEC in Scotland, said:

"People across Scotland have responded to the suffering in Haiti with a wonderful generosity. Every donation to our appeal is making a real difference in helping people in Haiti survive and to rebuild their lives.

"There is no room for complacency though. This has been a disaster on a vast scale and huge numbers of people are still living in appalling conditions."

The Haitian government's latest estimates following the January 12 earthquake is that 230,000 people have been killed, 300,000 injured and 1.3m in need of emergency shelter.

So far DEC member aid agencies and their partners have helped feed 750,000 people, provided clean water to over 400,000 and emergency shelter materials to 250,000.

The aid agencies have also been providing medical services, blankets, hygiene kits, and supplies for new-borns. They have been improving sanitation, and helping vulnerable groups including children, pregnant women, the disabled and the elderly.

The Scottish public's generosity means that the DEC members have funds for short-term emergency aid in Haiti, but money is still needed for crucial longer-term work to help the Haitian people rebuild their lives from the ruins.

Donations have mainly been made online and by phone, but also include corporate, postal, events, SMS and over-the-counter donations.

People can donate to the DEC Haiti Earthquake Appeal at www.dec.org.uk, at any Post Office or high street bank, or by post. Cheques payable to 'DEC Haiti Earthquake Appeal' can be sent to PO Box 999, London, EC3A 3AA.

For developments in Haiti, see www.dec.org.uk, follow @decappeal on Twitter or become a fan of 'Disasters-Emergency-Committee-DEC' on Facebook.