The Japan Times
Tohoku revival said best aided by NPOs
By WILLIAM HOLLINGWORTH
Kyodo

LONDON — Developing the nonprofit sector is key to reviving the Tohoku region from the damage inflicted by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, according to a British husband and wife who recently visited the area. Phillida and Christopher Purvis say more money and support are required to expand the activities of various charities that are trying to restore a sense of community in the towns destroyed in the disasters.

The couple, who have long-standing ties with Japan, have just toured the three affected prefectures with British Ambassador David Warren and recently presented their findings to the Japan Society in London. The organization has raised £636,000 ($995,000) and is inviting funding applications from local charities. Phillida Purvis, who sits on the society's earthquake fund committee, told members, "Since March, many organizations have been born but they have limited experience and no certainty of financial support for their survival, when the initial postcrisis funding support and help of volunteers dry up. "This emergency support, we also learned, often comes with strings attached. There is evidence that donors arrive with their own funding agenda, which has the effect in some cases of exploiting the local people for the sake of donors' wishes — a classic development pitfall."