A LEADING figure in the Christian charity Tearfund has hit back at claims that money raised for the tsunami relief effort is being wasted.

Following the accounts of two Islanders published recently in the JEP, John Eames, the charity’s regional manager, was keen to emphasise that the money raised by Tearfund for the tsunami effort, which stands at around £15 million, was going directly to the people who needed it.

He also said that people should not be too impatient to see the results of aid work in regions affected by the tsunami and that redevelopment would be a long process that would take continuing commitment and constant support.

‘People say it’s been a year now so where is the evidence of progress being made? but they forget that redevelopment will be a very long process,’ Mr Eames said during a visit to the Island on Saturday.

‘It has taken ten years to rebuild the areas hit by the Kobe earthquake of 1995, and that was in Japan – a modern industrial nation.’ Tearfund’s support base is primarily among the evangelical Christian community and many of the churches in the Island organise fund-raising internally.

Instead of launching post-disaster appeals, the charity has thousands of regular contributors who donate an amount of money every month.

In this way, Mr Eames said, Tearfund is able to react to a disaster quickly and effectively without launching sudden appeals.

It also means that they are able to remain in disaster areas for as long as they are needed.