Rapid Environmental Assessment Republic of Maldives

On 26 December 2004, an earthquake measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale caused powerful tsunamis that reached the Maldives around 9:30 in the morning. A United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team was deployed on 27 December in the Maldives, to carry out rapid assessment of priority needs and to support national authorities and the United Nations Resident Coordinator to coordinate international relief on-site. Upon request of the Ministry of Environment and Construction (MEC), a rapid environmental assessment of the impacts of the tsunami on the Republic of Maldives was undertaken by the UNDAC environmental team member.