082118 – World Status Report

Avoid Nonessential Travel

Conflict and Terrorism

• Afghanistan – UN. The city of Ghazni in Afghanistan is still too dangerous for aid workers to reach, after a week of “intense” fighting and reports that traumatized children are turning up at hospitals looking for their parents, UN humanitarian agency, OCHA, said on Friday.
• Iraq – U.S. Department of State. Do not travel to Iraq due to terrorism and armed conflict. Read the entire travel advisory.
• Mali – U.S. Department of State. Do not travel to Mali due to crime and terrorism. Read the entire travel advisory.

Natural Disaster

• Japan, Korea, South Korea, North Korea – GDACS, Government of Canada. Tropical Cyclone SOULIK-18 is expected to have a high humanitarian impact based on the storm strength and the affected population in the past and forecasted path. Up to 34.4 million people can be affected by wind speeds of cyclone strength or above.  It is likely to bring excessive rainfall and violent winds. It may cause flash flooding and landslides and could severely disrupt the essential services like transportation, power distribution, telecommunications networks, emergency services and medical care. If you expect to be in the affected areas, exercise caution, monitor local news and weather reports, and follow the instructions of local authorities.
• India – GDACS, Government of Canada, GOV.UK Heavy rainfall has caused flash flooding and landslides across the state of Kerala. The flood caused 324 killed and 223000 displaced. Cochin International Airport has suspended operations until August 26, 2018, and there are several road and railway tracks closures throughout the state. The current weather conditions could also disrupt other essential services such as public transportation, power distribution, telecommunications networks, emergency services,  and medical care. If you are in the affected area exercise caution, allow extra time to reach your destination, monitor local news and weather reports. Follow the instructions of local authorities and contact your travel agent to determine whether the situation could disrupt your travel plans. If your current location lies within the worst affected area and you’re in need of urgent help, you’re advised to contact the helpline number of the region; the Met department predicts little to no rain for the next 5 days; the government of Kerala has withdrawn the red alert.
• Indonesia – GDACS. On 8/19/2018 an 6.9 earthquake occurred in Indonesia potentially affecting 3670000 people within 100km.
• Vanuatu – GOV.UK. The government of Vanuatu has declared a state of emergency for the island of Ambae; the government have ordered the immediate compulsory evacuation of the population of Ambae to the neighbouring island of Maewo due to the ongoing volcanic activity; if you’re in the area, you should follow the advice of local authorities, including the evacuation order.

Crime and Social Unrest

• Ethiopia – GOV.UK, Government of Canada. The FCO now advises against all but essential travel to all other areas of the Ethiopian Somali Regional State, with the exception of the main road to Djibouti, and passengers on the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway.  In early August 2018, there was an increase in insurgency-related violence across the ‎Somali region. Attacks have targeted businesses, churches, houses, cars, and Amhara and Oromo minority groups. Ethiopia’s National Defense Force has taken control of highways, government buildings and the airport. Exercise caution and monitor local media if you are in this area.

Take Enhanced Precautions

Conflict and Terrorism

• United Kingdom – Government of Canada. There is a threat of terrorism in Europe. Terrorists have carried out attacks in several European cities. Since March 22, 2017, separate attacks, causing multiple deaths and injuries, have taken place in the U.K.: 5 in London and 1 in Manchester. The attacks have been indiscriminate and have targeted public places, including public transportation, a market, an entertainment venue and the area near a religious site. While the majority of attacks have occurred in the London area, the likelihood of an attack elsewhere in the United Kingdom cannot be ruled out. Further attacks in Europe are also likely. Targets could include government buildings, including schools, places of worship, airports and other transportation hubs and networks, and public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, markets, hotels and other sites frequented by foreigners. Always be aware of your surroundings when in public places. Be particularly vigilant if attending sporting events and during religious holidays and other public celebrations, as terrorists have used such occasions to mount attacks.

Crime and Social Unrest

• Philippines – Government of Canada. Authorities in Palawan are advising the public of a credible kidnapping threat on the island. Foreigners may be targeted. If you are on the island be vigilant at all times, take extra security precautions, speak to staff at your hotel about the security measures in place, follow the advice of local authorities and monitor local news reports.

Natural Disaster

• Thailand – GOV.UK. The Thai Meteorological Department continues to issue weather warnings for heavy rain, high seas (Upper Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea), and hazardous conditions across Thailand, especially the north, northeast, and south; the Mekong River Commission has also issued flood warnings for 20 to 24 August for Nongkhai (the border crossing to Vientiane, Laos) and Nakhon Phanom, and high waters along the Mekong; you should follow the advice of local authorities and monitor weather forecasts.
• Laos – GOV.UK. Red flood warnings have been issued for the period 20 August to 24 August, covering Vientiane, Nongkhai (opposite bank to Vientiane), Nakon Phanom, Khong Chiam and the Pakse area. With water levels continuing to rise rapidly, please monitor and follow the advice of local authorities and local weather forecasts.

Demonstrations

• Haiti – Government of Canada. On July 6, 2018, violent protests broke out across the country, following the announcement of an increase in gas prices. Although the situation has returned to a relative calm, it remains unpredictable. Further demonstrations could occur at any time and disrupt the movement of goods and people within and into the country. Consider getting essential supplies. Contact your airline or travel agent before travelling to check your flight’s schedule and availability.
• Uganda – Government of Canada, GOV.UK. By-elections took place on August 15, 2018 in Arua municipality. Demonstrations could occur. Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place. Follow the instructions of local authorities and monitor local media for the latest information. The arrest of a number of opposition Members of Parliament following violence around the Arua by-election on the 15 August 2018 has led to heightened political tension. There is an increased likelihood of protests, which may turn violent, across Uganda.
• Mali – Government of Canada, GOV.UK. The second round of presidential elections was held on August 12, 2018. Violent demonstrations could still occur following the announcement of the results. Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place. Avoid areas frequented by foreigners. Avoid areas that lack a security presence. Follow the instructions of local authorities and monitor local media for the latest information.
• Romania – GOV.UK. There have been an increased number of political protests, centred on the main government building in Bucharest, but also affecting other major cities in Romania; you should follow local media and avoid demonstrations or other large gatherings.

Health

• Vibrio growth – ECDC. As of 17 August 2018, environmental suitability for Vibrio growth in the Baltic Sea for the next five days is considered to be medium to high in several coastal areas of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden and Russia.
• West Nile Virus – ECDC. Between 10 and 16 August 2018, EU Member States reported 41 human cases of West Nile fever: Hungary (16), Greece (15), Romania (8) and Croatia (2). EU neighbouring countries reported 24 cases, all reported by Serbia.

Law and Culture

• Paraguay – Government of Canada. Paraguay’s law does not prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex. However, homosexuality is not widely socially accepted.

Other

• Philippines – GOV.UK. Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila is experiencing flight disruption due to an incident late on 16 August; you should check with your airline if you’re due to travel; NAIA flight information is available on their Hotline +63 (0) 2877 1111.

Ebola News

• Democratic Republic of the Congo – ECDC,  WHO. Over the past week, the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has reported 34 additional cases and seven deaths.  On 1 August 2018, the Ministry of Health (MoH) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo declared a new outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in the town of Mangina, Mabalako Health Zone, North Kivu Province. Confirmed cases have since between reported from Beni and Mandima health zones, Ituri Province; however, all confirmed exposures and transmission events to date have been linked back to the outbreak epi-centre, Mangina. North Kivu and Ituri are among the most populated provinces in the country, share borders with Uganda and Rwanda, and experience conflict and insecurity, with over one million internally displaced people and migration of refugees to neighbouring countries.

When traveling on behalf of UT Dallas, set up your institutional safety net and prepare for an emergency as a standard step of all your travels.  Find more information in the Traveler Best Practices webpage.

The risk information in this report is retrieved from U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and other professional sources as listed in the post. It provides general guidance for UT Dallas travelers. Please note the revision date (mmddyy) of this report, printed on the title of the post, and go to the direct sources listed for the most up-to-date information.  The information in this report may change without prior notice.