Seven sets of core samplers were provided by UNDP(K) to the RCA Members States hardest hit by the 2004 tsunami in a bid to assess the environmental impact of the most destructive natural disaster ever to hit the region. The core samplers, Kajak cores, are designed for taking samples in muddy and half hard sediment in the participating Member States. The assistance is in line with the RCA-UNDP Project of the Mitigation of Coastal Impact of Natural Disasters like Tsunami, Using Nuclear or Isotope-based Techniques, i.e., Post-Tsunami Environment Impact Assessment.
With technical support from the Project Lead Country Counterpart, Ms. Elvira Sombrito, PHI, in coordination with the UNDP (Korea), the core samplers were shipped by KC Denmark A/S, Denmark to Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and the Philippines. The Philippines, though not directly affected by the tsunami, has been involved in the collection and analysis of sediment cores using the Lead-210 dating technique.
The Post-tsunami Environment Impact Assessment Project, initiated by RCARO with financial support from UNDP (Korea), began to implement from July 2006 for a 3-year term with participation of 14 RCA Member States.