061819 – World Status Report

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

• Colombia  – GOV.UK  – The FCO advise against all but essential travel to: departments of Arauca & Guaviare, (except their capital cities); department of Chocó (except Quibdó, Nuquí, Bahía Solano & Capurganá); Ariari region of southern Meta (except tourist site of Caño Cristales); South Pacific, Sanquianga & Telembi regions of Nariño; Western region of Cauca; Buenaventura in department of Valle del Cauca; Urabá & Bajo Cauca regions of Antioquia; regions of Southern Bolívar & Southern Córdoba; Catatumbo region of Norte de Santander; Orito, San Migue, Valle del Guamuez, Puerto Caicedo, Puerto Guzmán, Puerto Asis & Puerto Leguizamo in Putumayo; Cartagena del Chairá, San Vicente del Caguan, Puerto Rico, El Doncello, Paujil & La Montañita in Caquetá; municipality of Puerto Carreño in Vichada, except the departmental capital; within 5km of Venezuelan and Ecuadorian borders, except border crossing on Pan American highway at Ipiales.
• Panama  – GCCA  –  Avoid all travel to the areas beyond the town of Yaviza in Darién Province to the Colombian border, due to the extremely high level of violent crime.
• Peru  – GCCA  –  Exercise a high degree of caution in Peru to serious crime, as well as social conflicts and strikes that may occur across the country. Avoid non essential travel to areas within 20 km of the border with Colombia due to drug trafficking and occasional incursions by armed guerrilla forces from Colombia into Peru.
• Saudi Arabia  – GOV.UK, GOV.AU –  On 12 June 2019, Abha International Airport was hit by a missile which resulted in 26 civilians being injured. Terrorism is a significant threat in Saudi Arabia. An attack could happen anywhere, at any time. Reconsider your need to travel to Saudi Arabia.
• Ukraine  – U.S. Department of State  –  Do not travel to Crimea due to arbitrary detentions and other abuses by Russian occupation authorities; nor to the eastern parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, especially the non-government controlled areas, due to armed conflict. Exercise increased caution in Ukraine due to crime, civil unrest and elections. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Crime and Social Unrest

• Burundi – U.S. Department of State  –  Reconsider travel to Burundi due to crime and political violence. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Burundi.  Read the entire advisory.
• Haiti – U.S. Department of State  –  Reconsider travel to Haiti due to crime, civil unrest, and kidnapping. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in some areas of Haiti. The Embassy discourages its personnel from walking in most neighborhoods.  Read the entire advisory.
• Sudan – GCCA, GOV.AU – Avoid non-essential travel to Sudan due to the unstable security situation throughout the country. If you are in Sudan for non-essential reasons, consider leaving by commercial means if it is safe to do so.  On 3 June, at least 100 people were reportedly killed and many more injured by Sudanese security services trying to break up long running protests. Avoid protests and large gatherings, obey curfews and follow local authorities’ instructions. Reconsider your need to travel in Sudan overall.
• Venezuela – GCCA  –  Avoid all travel to Venezuela due to the significant level of violent crime, the unstable political and economic situations and the decline in basic living conditions, including shortages of medication, food staples, gasoline and water.

Take Enhanced Precautions 

Conflict and Terrorism

• Mali  – UNNews  –  Nearly 100 people were reportedly killed during an attack on a traditional Dogon hunters village in Mali on Sunday, prompting a call from UN chief António Guterres for authorities to act fast and “bring the perpetrators to justice”.
• Nigeria  – GCCA  –  There is a threat of terrorism in the northern states of Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano and Yobe, where the extremist group Boko Haram is based. Boko Haram attributed attacks, which regularly result in significant loss of life and injuries, increased across the north in 2014 but such incidents outside of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe have declined since 2015. These attacks, at times taking the form of explosions, have taken place in busy public areas, including places of worship.
• Sudan  – UNNews  –  The joint African Union UN Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), is suspending the handover of any more camps for displaced civilians to the Sudanese military, against a backdrop of worsening violence and insecurity across the country.
• Sudan  – UNNews  –  At least 19 children have reportedly been killed in Sudan and another 49 injured since a military backlash against protesters that began earlier this month, prompting the head of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to express her grave concern at the impact of the continuing violence and unrest in the country on children and young people.
• Nigeria  – GCCA  –  There is a threat of terrorism in the northern and Middle Belt states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Plateau and Yobe. The security situation in the Niger Delta region is fragile and unstable, particularly in the states Niger Delta states of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Imo and Rivers (with the exception of Rivers’ capital city, Port Harcourt, where we advise against non-essential travel).

Crime and Social Unrest

• Georgia  – GOV.UK  –  There was a planned gathering in central Tbilisi for Sunday 16 June, likely to affect the area around Vera Park related to opposition to the forthcoming Tbilisi Pride events planned for 18 to 23 June. There is the possibility of further unplanned demonstrations and counter demonstrations over the next week in central Tbilisi, including near parliament, the State Chancellery, Freedom Square and Vera Park. Demonstrations in Tbilisi are usually well policed, but you should avoid large gatherings or demonstrations and follow the instructions of local authorities.
• Ghana  – GOV.AU  –  Violent crime, including kidnapping, targeting Westerners (particularly women) has increased in Ghana recently. Don’t use Ubers, taxis or other public transport. Be particularly alert at night.
• Hong Kong  – UN Dispatch, GOV.UK, GCCA, GOV.AU – Hong Kong is in the midst of the most significant protest movement since China assumed sovereignty in 1997.  These protests were sparked by a proposed law that could permit people in Hong Kong to be extradited to mainland China to face trial.Since 9 June there have been several large scale political demonstrations focused on the Legislative Council building and Admiralty area on Hong Kong Island, resulting in road closures and disruption to public transport. Violent clashes have also taken place between police and protesters. A large march took place on the afternoon of Sunday 16 June. Further demonstrations may take place in the coming weeks, which could involve violence. Large sections of the city may be closed off and public transport affected. The situation remains unpredictable, so you should remain vigilant and keep up to date with developments. If you’re in and around areas where demonstrations are taking place, follow the advice of local authorities and move away quickly to a safe place if there are signs of disorder.
• Jamaica  – GOV.UK  –  Crime levels are high, particularly in and around certain areas of Kingston and Montego Bay. The Jamaican government has also extended Zones of Special Operations (ZOSOs) in certain neighbourhoods in Kingston (Denham town and other areas in West Kingston). These measures allow the military to support the police in joint security operations in response to recent violence and shooting incidents.
• Nepal  – GCCA  –  While Nepal continues its transition to a stable democracy, the political situation remains fragile and tensions can increase with little notice.
• Sudan  – GCCA  –  Demonstrations and civil unrest have been ongoing in many parts of the country, notably in Khartoum, Omdurman, Gedarif, Atbara, Dammer, Wad Madani and Port Sudan, due to political and economic tensions. Protests intensified in Khartoum following a military coup d’état that took place on April 11, 2019. The security situation could deteriorate quickly.

Demonstrations

• Colombia  – GCCA  –  Since the beginning of February 2019, violent protests and clashes have been taking place near the border with Venezuela, including in the city of Cúcuta. Avoid the area. Ongoing protests by taxi drivers against Uber drivers have caused serious traffic disruptions in Bogotá and other major cities.
• Haiti  – GCCA  –  Violent protests occurred in Port au Prince and other cities across the country since the beginning of 2019. Clashes, sometimes involving the use of firearms, resulted in casualties. Social tension remains and the situation is still fluid and unpredictable. Demonstrations and strikes could occur without notice and disrupt transportation. If you currently are in Haiti: avoid large gatherings, plan to have adequate fuel, water and food supplies, avoid crossing road blockades, even if they appear unattended.
• Indonesia  – GCCA, GOV.AU – Demonstrations are expected to take place in Jakarta on June 14, 2019 at the Arjuna Wijaya Horse Statue and the MPR Parliament building. The demonstrations may continue for several days. Traffic and transportation disruptions are likely in affected areas. Roads may be blocked. Exercise caution.  Avoid demonstrations and rallies, as these can turn violent. Monitor local media for updates
• Ukraine  – GOV.AU  –  Ukraine will hold parliamentary elections before the end of 2019. Protests and demonstrations may happen in the lead up to elections. There may be an increased security presence and road closures.

Health

• Burundi  – GOV.UK  –  If you become ill during or immediately after travelling to the country, seek medical advice immediately. Kira Hospital, Hopital Militaire de Kamenge or Medecin sans frontieres are able to provide appropriate medical care for most serious accidents within Bujumbura. Outside Bujumbura, there is a lack of adequate medical facilities and medical evacuation to Kenya or Rwanda may be necessary.
• European Union  – ECDC  –  Since the previous measles monthly update, Several EU/EEA countries have reported ongoing or new outbreaks in 2019, including Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, France, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Spain. Most of the cases were reported from Romania (1533), France (1453), Poland (1044), Bulgaria (866), Italy (864) and Lithuania (709). In 2019, seven deaths were reported in the EU from Romania (5), Italy (1), and France (1).
• France, Réunion  – ECDC  –  In the past two weeks, Réunion reported 1 124 confirmed cases of dengue: 731 cases in week 21 of 2019 and 393 cases in week 22 of 2019. These figures confirm the declining trend of reported confirmed cases in the island. However, according to French authorities, the serotype DENV 1 has become more prevalent in the reported autochthonous cases.

Law and Culture

• Brunei  – GOVT.NZ  –  Brunei Darussalam has a dual legal system with both civil law and syariah (sharia) law. Both laws include provisions for corporal and capital punishments. Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe and can include the death penalty, physical punishment, and lengthy imprisonment.
• Uganda  – GOV.UK  –  on 22 May 2019 it became an offence punishable by a prison sentence and/or a fine to offer money, food or clothing to children living on the streets in Kampala.

Natural Disasters and Climate

• Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe  – GDACS  –  The drought has lasted for 7 months. Drought indicators suggest anomalies typical of severe to extreme events. The Drought alert level is Red.
• Belize, Guatemala, Honduras  – GDACS  –  The drought has lasted for 3 months. Drought indicators suggest anomalies typical of severe to extreme events. The Drought alert level is Orange.
• China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam  – GDACS  –  The drought has lasted for 6 months. Drought indicators suggest anomalies typical of severe to extreme events. The Drought alert level is Orange.
• India, Pakistan  – GDACS  –  Tropical Cyclone VAYU 19 can have a medium humanitarian impact based on the maximum sustained wind speed, exposed population and vulnerability. The Cyclone alert level is Orange.
• India, Sri Lanka  – GDACS  –  The drought has lasted for 5 months. Drought indicators suggest anomalies typical of severe to extreme events. The Drought alert level is Red.

Other

• Argentina  – GOV.UK  –  since 7:06am on 16 June, there has been a nationwide power outage. Work is ongoing to restore power. There is likely to be some disruption to local travel and services.
• Iraq  – UN Dispatch  –  Day to day discrimination against local Christians is causing many to seek to leave the country. In 2003, before the US invasion of Iraq, there were an estimated 1.2 million Christians living in Iraq. Today, that number is less than 250,000, an eighty percent drop in less than two decades.
• Russia  – GOV.AU  –  Possessing, selling, consuming or carrying illegal drugs, including small amounts of ‘soft’ drugs, such as cannabis, is illegal in Russia. Penalties are severe and include lengthy terms of imprisonment. Russia has strict rules governing the importation of medicines, and what can be carried into the country for personal use. Some medicines that are available over the counter are restricted in Russia. If you fail to declare restricted medications, you could be detained.

Ebola News 

• Democratic Republic of the Congo – ECDC, WHO – Since the previous CDTR and as of 12 June 2019, the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has reported 77 additional confirmed cases. During the same period, 44 deaths were reported.  WHO notes the last assessment concluded that the national and regional risk levels remain very high, while global risk levels remain low.
• Uganda – ECDC, GOV.UK, GOV.AU, WHO – According to the Ugandan Ministry of Health, there have been three imported confirmed Ebola virus cases and two deaths in Kasese District in Uganda as of 12 June 2019. These cases belong to a family of six that had travel history to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where they were identified as contacts. The surviving family members have been repatriated to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. So far, there has been no autochthonous or on-going transmission in Uganda. Twenty-seven close contacts have been “line-listed” for follow-up so far. WHO advises against any restriction of travel and trade to Uganda based on the 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.