The MDC has launched a fund to assist victims with medical treatment, repatriation and rebuilding their homes, many of which have been burnt to the ground.

This is because the earthquake is likely to spur a large-scale repatriation of yen to fund the re-build effort.

However, the prospect of repatriation of some of Japan's large currency account surplus to help fund the re-build is putting upward pressure on the yen, leaving the currency volatile for now.