International Education > Archive > Category: World Status Report

120418 – World Status Report

December 4, 2018

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.

Avoid Nonessential Travel

Conflict and Terrorism

  • Mauritania – U.S. Department of State.  Level 3: Reconsider Travel to Mauritania due to crime and terrorism. Violent crimes, such as mugging, armed robbery, and assault, are common. Local police lack the resources to respond effectively to serious crimes. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting places frequented by Westerners. Read the entire travel advisory.
  • Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa) – Government of Canada. On November 24, 2018, the United States embassy in Kinshasa issued a Security Alert advising American citizens that “the United States Embassy in Kinshasa has received credible and specific information of a possible terrorist threat against U.S. Government facilities in Kinshasa.” Avoid travelling to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
  • Afghanistan – GOV.UK. On 28 November 2018, a complex attack on the G4S compound in Kabul killed at least 10 people, including one British national, and injured at least 35 others. The FCO advise against all travel to Kabul and other districts in Afghanistan.

Crime and Social Unrest

  • Haiti – U.S. Department of State.  Level 3: Reconsider travel to Haiti due to crime and civil unrest.  There are currently unpredictable and sporadic demonstrations in Port-au-Prince and elsewhere in Haiti.  Violent crime, such as armed robbery, is common. Local police may lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents, and emergency response, including ambulance service, is limited or non-existent. Travelers are sometimes targeted, followed, and violently attacked and robbed shortly after leaving the Port-au-Prince international airport. The U.S. Embassy requires its personnel to use official transportation to and from the airport, and it takes steps to detect surveillance and deter criminal attacks during these transports. On November 29, 2018, the U.S. government authorized the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and their families. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in some areas of Haiti. Read the entire travel advisory.
  • Haiti – Government of Canada. Violent protests have been taking place in Port-au-Prince and other cities across the country since November 17, 2018. The violence has resulted in deaths and injuries and sporadic gunshots are heard. Although tensions have eased somewhat, the situation remains fluid and unpredictable. Demonstrations and strikes could continue in the foreseeable future and disrupt the movement of goods and people within, into and out of the country. Main roads are often blocked. Limit your movements as much as possible, but consider stocking up on essential supplies if it’s safe for you to do so.

Take Enhanced Precautions

Demonstrations

  • Bahrain – Government of Canada. National assembly elections (second round) were due to take place on December 1, 2018. Demonstrations could occur before, during and after the elections. Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place. Follow the instructions of local authorities and monitor local media for the latest information
  • France – Government of Canada. Demonstrations by the Yellow Vests movement have been taking place in Paris and other parts of the country since November 17, 2018. Demonstrators have blocked roads in certain areas, leading to important traffic disruptions. Acts of vandalism and violence occurred during large protests. Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place. Follow the instructions of local authorities and monitor local media for the latest information.
  • Réunion – Government of Canada, GOV.UK. Demonstrations and civil unrest due to fuel prices have been taking place in various parts of the island since November 17, 2018. There were clashes between security forces and protesters. Demonstrators have blocked roads in certain areas. This could severely disrupt essential services like transportation, fuel, food & medicine supplies, emergency services, and medical care. A curfew could be imposed on short notice. Monitor the media and follow the advice of the local authorities.

Crime and Social Unrest

  • Kenya – GOV.UK. The National Police Service of Kenya reported that on 20 November an armed gang attacked a trading centre in Chakama in Kilifi County, and abducted an Italian NGO worker.

Entry and Exit Requirements

  • Ukraine – Government of Canada, GOV.UK,  GOV.AU.  A limited form of martial law is in effect from November 28 to December 27, 2018, in the regions of Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhya, Kherson, Mykolaev, Odesa and Vynnitsya. According to Ukrainian authorities, martial law is being introduced solely for the defense of Ukraine. It is not intended to limit civil rights or freedoms. Monitor the media and follow instructions issued by local authorities.  Specified implications include:
    • Limiting entry into Crimea and the whole of Ukraine
    • Intensifying checks and patrolling at the border with Russia and at the line of demarcation with Crimea.
    • During the period of martial law Ukrainian authorities will not allow foreign nationals to travel from Ukraine-controlled territory to Crimea. Foreigners who were legally in Crimea at the time of this decision will be allowed to leave the peninsula by crossing the administrative boundary back to mainland Ukraine.
    • To note, Chernihiv borders with the Homel region of the Republic of Belarus. Odesa and Vinnytsia border with the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova.
  • Poland – GOV.AU. Poland has temporarily reinstated land border checkpoints until 16 December 2018. Be prepared to show travel documents and allow additional time for your vehicle to be checked at or near border crossings. Additional security checks will be carried out at seaports and airports.

Health

  • Madagascar – CDC. There is an outbreak of measles in Madagascar. Travelers to Madagascar should make sure they are vaccinated against measles with the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine.

Natural Disaster

  • United States – GOV.UK. A 7.0 magnitude earthquake occurred outside Anchorage, Alaska on 30 November 2018 and has been followed by a series of aftershocks, including a 5.8 magnitude earthquake.  Some damage to local infrastructure has been reported, and flights may be affected. Please follow the advice of the local authorities such as Anchorage Police Department and Alaska Division of the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

Other

  • Ghana – Government of Canada. A counter-terrorism training exercise will be held in Accra on November 30, 2018. This exercise can lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation. Follow the instructions of local authorities.
  • Switzerland, Poland, Italy, Czech Republic, Sweden, Netherlands, Germany, France, Denmark, Belgium, Spain, Austria – GOV.UK. There may be increased security in place over the Christmas and New Year period, including at Christmas markets and other major events that might attract large crowds. You should remain vigilant and follow the advice of local authorities.

Ebola News

  • Democratic Republic of the Congo – WHO. The Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak approaches five months since declaration, responding to the outbreak continues to be a challenge; nevertheless, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and partners, WHO remains focused on the ongoing containment efforts to end the outbreak. The MoH, WHO and partners are intensively focusing response activities in areas where EVD transmission continues, including Butembo, Katwa, Beni and Kalunguta.  WHO’s risk assessment for the outbreak is currently very high at the national and regional levels; the global risk level remains low. WHO continues to advise against any restriction of travel to, and trade with, the Democratic Republic of the Congo based on currently available information.

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.