International Education > Archive > Category: World Status Report

070720 – World Status Report

July 7, 2020

This report intends to give the UTD Community a snapshot of international risks, and issues as reported by the linked official sources from the U.S. and other countries.

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.

Take Enhanced Precautions

Conflict and Terrorism

  • Afghanistan * UN * Fifteen attacks on healthcare in Afghanistan were recorded during the first two months of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report published on Sunday by the UN Assistance Mission in the country, UNAMA.
  • Democratic Republic of the  Congo * UN * The United Nations has strongly condemned an attack believed to be carried out by rebel militia on peacekeepers serving with the UN Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), which left one Indonesian ‘blue helmet’ dead, and another injured.
  • Mali *UN * Feeding an entrenched cycle of violence and reprisal, 580 civilians have been killed in Mali so far this year, as worsening security conditions and widespread impunity undermine efforts to protect people caught in intercommunal fighting, the UN Human Rights chief said on Friday.
  • UN * UN * While warring parties agreed to more than 30 action plans, road maps, command orders and other measures to better protect children in 2019 – the highest number in any one year – rape and other forms of sexual violence remain vastly under-reported, including against boys, the leading UN advocate on the issue told the Security Council on Tuesday.

Demonstrations and Social Unrest

  • Ethiopia * GC.CA * Violent protests have occurred in Addis Ababa, following the killing of the singer Hachalu Hundessa on June 29, 2020. Clashes between protesters and security forces have happened, resulting in casualties. Several roadblocks are disrupting transportation in the capital. Local authorities have blocked access to telecommunication, including the Internet. The situation remains fluid and unpredictable. Additional protests could happen throughout the country, without notice, and could suddenly turn violent.
  • Mali * UN * The UN Secretary-General has appealed for calm in Mali, following protests in the capital, Bamako.
  • Syria * UN * The UN chief called on the world to step up “financial, humanitarian and political commitments”, to help end nearly a decade of brutal conflict and suffering across Syria, in a video message delivered to the fourth Brussels Donor Conference.
  • Trinidad and Tobago * GOV.UK * There were widespread and violent protests in Port of Spain on 30 June following the killing of three men in Morvant by police on 27 June. The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service issued a red alert and advised citizens to avoid Port of Spain. British nationals should follow local advice and exercise caution. There are high levels of violent crime in Trinidad, including murder, particularly in parts of the capital Port of Spain. There were widespread protests in Port of Spain on 30 June following the killing of three men in the Morvant area of Port of Spain by police on 27 June. The burning of tyres and gunshots were reported. The TT Police Service and Defence Force are dealing with the situation and a number of arrests have been made.

Health

  • Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) * GC.CA * Health care is inadequate, particularly in rural areas. Medical supplies are limited. You’ll likely need medical evacuation in case of serious illness or injury. Medical evacuation can be very expensive. Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.
  • South Sudan * GC.CA * Medical facilities are inadequate. You should avoid having surgery there. Emergency medical evacuation can be difficult to obtain. Air ambulances are usually not available on short notice and the airport is closed after dark. You should ensure your health plan coverage includes South Sudan because many policies do not. Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.
  • Uganda * GC.CA *  Medical facilities are extremely limited outside Kampala. Serious illness or emergencies may require evacuation by air ambulance at the patient’s expense. Ensure you have sufficient prescription medicine and medical supplies for the duration of your trip. Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Law and Culture

  • Hong Kong * GC.CA * National security legislation for Hong Kong came into effect on July 1, 2020. You may be at increased risk of arbitrary detention on national security grounds and possible extradition to mainland China.

Natural Disasters and Climate

  • Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay* GD.CA * The Drought alert level is Orange. The drought has lasted for 6 months. Drought indicators suggest anomalies typical of severe to extreme events.
  • Bolivia, Brazil * GD.CA * The Drought alert level is Orange. The drought has lasted for 19 months. Drought indicators suggest anomalies typical of severe to extreme events.
  • Dominican Republic, Haiti * GD.CA * The Drought alert level is Orange. The drought has lasted for 4 months. Drought indicators suggest anomalies typical of severe to extreme events.
  • Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia * GD.CA * The Drought alert level is Orange. The drought has lasted for 3 months. Drought indicators suggest anomalies typical of severe to extreme events.
  • South Africa * GD.CA * The Drought alert level is Orange. The drought has lasted for 3 months. Drought indicators suggest anomalies typical of severe to extreme events.

Other

  • Central African Republic * UN * The Central African Republic (CAR) is making progress as it prepares for presidential and legislative elections in December, but the political situation is still fragile – and security conditions volatile – amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix said on Monday.
  • Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan * UN * The Blue Nile is “critical for the livelihoods and development” of Egyptians, Ethiopians and Sudanese, the top UN official for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs told the Security Council on Monday, urging those States to reach a construction agreement on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
  • Israel * UN * The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights warned Israel on Monday not to proceed along the “dangerous path” of annexing a swathe of occupied Palestinian territory, urging the Government to listen to its own former senior officials along with the “multitude of voices around the world”.
  • Israel * UN * The UN Secretary-General has called on Israel to scrap plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank, a move that could occur as early as next week.

Ebola News

  • Democratic Republic of the Congo * WHO * Ebola Virus. On 25 June 2020, the Minister of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo declared the end of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in North Kivu, Ituri and South Kivu Provinces . In accordance with WHO recommendations, the declaration was made more than 42 days after the last person who contracted EVD in this outbreak tested negative twice and was discharged from care. The outbreak was declared on 1 August 2018 following investigations and laboratory confirmation of a cluster of EVD cases in North Kivu Province. Further investigations identified cases in Ituri and North Kivu Provinces with dates of symptom onset from May to August 2018. In 2019, the outbreak subsequently spread to South Kivu Province, and on 17 July 2019, the WHO Director-General declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 11 outbreaks have been recorded since the first recognized outbreak in 1976. The 10th EVD outbreak in North Kivu, Ituri and South Kivu Provinces was the country’s longest EVD outbreak and the second largest in the world after the 2014–2016 EVD outbreak in West Africa.

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.