Sustaining Microfinance in Post-Tsunami Asia

As the communities most affected by the recent devastating tsunami courageously begin to rebuild their lives, microfinance institutions (MFIs) can play a powerful part in the path to recovery. Since the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, MFIs have been tirelessly providing and coordinating emergency relief, and a few are beginning to help local communities reconstruct homes and return to economic activity. MFIs provide the appropriate range of emergency and longer-term assistance to their clients, while helping both MFIs and donors ensure that the ultimate mission of the MFI to be a sustainable provider of financial services is not compromised.