“The local government has strong control over such situations,” Kikuchi told Crux Now, “and often slows down the relief efforts of NGOs.” Kikuchi told Crux Now local authorities in the quake-stricken prefecture are not allowing outside volunteers or material donations at present. “The local government is not yet accepting volunteers from outside Kumamoto prefecture at this moment,” Kikuchi told Crux Now on Wednesday. The Bishop of Fukuoka, Josep Abella, told Crux Now the quake damaged infrastructure, severely affecting water availability. “The greatest need is water supply,” Abella told Crux Now, “and it is going to take some time before normal functioning returns.”