International Education > Archive > Category: World Status Report

010521 – World Status Report

January 5, 2021

This report intends to give the UTD Community a snapshot of international risks, and other 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

  • Australia * GOV.UK * On 17 December 2020, police shot a suspect linked to a double murder in Brisbane, Queensland, which is being treated as a terrorist incident.
  • Burkina Faso * GOV.AU * The US government has issued a security alert highlighting the holiday period as a time of heightened risk of terrorist attacks. Pay attention to your personal safety. Follow the directions of local authorities. The Australian High Commission in Accra has very limited capacity to provide consular assistance in West Africa.
  • Mali * GOV.AU * The US government has issued a security alert highlighting the holiday period as a time of heightened risk of terrorist attacks. The situation in Mali following the military coup is calm but could deteriorate quickly. Pay attention to your personal safety. Follow the advice of local authorities The Australian High Commission in Accra has very limited capacity to provide consular assistance in Mali.
  • Niger * ECHO Daily Flash of 04 January 2021 * Deadly attacks against civilian population in Tillabéri region. (DG ECHO, UN OCHA, Cluster Protection, Media/AFP). On 2 January, non-state armed groups (NSAG) attacked two villages in Tillabéri region, Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye, killing an estimated 100 civilians, one of the worst attacks against the local population in Niger. Gardens and granaries were burnt. 25 people were injured and are receiving medical care in Mangaize, Ouallam and Niamey. Responsibility has yet to be claimed for the attack but it was well-organised, occuring 20km from Mangaize, a secured zone with the presence of Niger forces. 100 motorbikes in two columns targetted both villages at the same time, during daytime. The attack may have been in retaliation for the local population’s refusal to pay a local tax to NSAG. Forced displacement of the population has been reported towards Mangaize. A multi-sectoral assessment is planned by humanitarian actors once access is secured. Niger’s authorities have distributed cash, food and non-food items to help those affected. Niger has been facing intense activities of NSAG to its east, south and west borders for several years.

Demonstrations and Social Unrest

  • Central African Republic * GC.CA * Presidential and legislative elections took place on December 27, 2020. The political and security situation is volatile and unpredictable in the Central African Republic. Central African armed groups are very active, particularly in the north-west and center country, and have carried out several attacks since December 18, 2020. They could move towards the capital, Bangui or try to cut off access to it. Violent election-related incidents as well as demonstrations have occurred. They could occur again, pending the elections results. Access to telecommunications, including Internet, could be disrupted. Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place. Follow the instructions of local authorities. Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations.
  • Iraq * GOV.UK * Regional tensions have increased in the run up to the first anniversary of the killing by the United States of senior Iranian and Iraqi security leaders Qasim Soleimani and Abu-Mahdi al-Muhandis outside Baghdad International Airport on 3 January. It is possible that the security situation could deteriorate in the period around this date. The situation remains uncertain and could worsen at short notice. You should avoid any rallies, marches or processions, and follow the instructions of local authorities.
  • Lebanon * GOV.AU * Protests are taking place in Beirut, some of which have turned violent. Avoid protests and Beirut’s port area.
  • New Caledonia * GOV.AU * Recent protests and roadblocks in New Caledonia have eased. Avoid the Greater South region of the main island due to the ongoing potential for violence.

Kidnapping

  • Iraq * GOV.AU * The security situation throughout Iraq remains volatile. Iraq has announced a ban on Australians and other foreigners travelling to Iraq from Australia and a number of other countries. If you intend to travel to Iraq despite our advice, consult your airline before travelling and check travel restrictions. Due to the volatile security environment and the ongoing threat of kidnappings, we advise you to leave Iraq as soon as you are able to do so. If you’re staying in Iraq, be alert and check media for updates on new threats.

Law and Culture

  • China * DOS * Reconsider travel to the People’s Republic of China (PRC), including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws. Exercise increased caution in the Hong Kong SAR due to COVID-19. Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before you plan any international travel. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 1 Travel Health Notice for the PRC, and a Level 2 Travel Health Notice for Hong Kong, due to COVID-19. The PRC has resumed most business operations (including day cares and schools). Other improved conditions have been reported within the PRC.  Visit the Embassy’s COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 in the PRC, as testing and travel requirements frequently change. Visit the Consulate General’s COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 in Hong Kong.
  • Hong Kong * DOS * Reconsider travel to the People’s Republic of China (PRC), including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws. Exercise increased caution in the Hong Kong SAR due to COVID-19. Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before you plan any international travel. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 1 Travel Health Notice for the PRC, and a Level 2 Travel Health Notice for Hong Kong, due to COVID-19. The PRC has resumed most business operations (including day cares and schools). Other improved conditions have been reported within the PRC. Visit the Embassy’s COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 in the PRC, as testing and travel requirements frequently change.

Natural Disasters and Climate

  • Croatia * ECHO Daily Flash of 04 January 2021 * Floods and flood warnings during the last 24 hours reported by national services. (European Flood Awareness System – EFAS). Threshold level 2/4 on Sava river
  • Croatia * GOV.AU * On 29 December 2020, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck in the region of Petrinja. The earthquake has caused extensive damage to buildings, infrastructure and essential services. Avoid the earthquake damaged areas and follow the advice of local authorities. (see ‘Climate and Natural Disasters’).
  • France * ECHO Daily Flash of 04 January 2021 * Floods and flood warnings during the last 24 hours reported by national services. (European Flood Awareness System – EFAS). Warning level 2/3 for Gironde et Adour region.
  • Indonesia * ECHO Daily Flash of 04 January 2021 * Floods and Landslides. (AHA Centre, BMKG, BNPB). Heavy rain and strong winds over parts of Indonesia since 31 December have resulted in widespread flooding, river overflow and landslides. According to ASEAN’s Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance (AHA Centre), more than 18,072 people have been affected and more than 1,967 houses damaged or destroyed on Java Island, Riau Islands, South Kalimantan, Jambi, and Aceh Provinces. In Jambi Province, approximately 1,200 citizens have been displaced and 704 houses damaged by heavy rain. 119 residents are sheltered in two evacuation centres in Bintan Regency (Riau Islands). The Indonesian National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported that flooding in Langsa City (Aceh Province) has affected about 9,448 people and left houses and roads flooded. Heavy rain, strong winds and lightning are expected over Java Island, South Kalimantan, Jambi and Aceh Provinces and strong winds over Riau Islands from 4-5 January. 
  • Malaysia * ECHO Daily Flash of 04 January 2021 * Floods. (AHA Centre, media, MET Malaysia). Heavy rain and thunderstorms since 1 January in western and estern Malaysia (notably Johor, Pahang, Terengganu, and Sabah States) have triggered floods. Media report one fatality, while 2 people are missing and roads damaged across Johor, Pahang, and Terengganu. ASEAN’s Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance (AHA Centre) reports 4,943 displaced in 51 evacuation centres across Johor and Pahang, 138 people in Terengganu and another 216 in Sabah. More heavy rain is forecast over the entire country over the next 24 hours, with locally very heavy rain over the already affected States.
  • Norway * ECHO Daily Flash of 04 January 2021 * Mudslide update. (Al Jazeera, France 24, Norway Alert, NY Norway). The number of fatalities has risen following a mudslide on 30 December in the municipality of Gjerdrum (Viken County), approximately 30 km northeast of Oslo. According to media reports, at least 7 people were killed by the event and 3 are missing and 10 injured. Approximately 1,000 citizens have been evacuated and search and rescue operations are ongoing.
  • Portugal * ECHO Daily Flash of 04 January 2021 * Meteoalarm, as of 4 January at 8.00 UTC. (EUMETNET, EUMETNET). On 4 January: red alert for heavy rainfall over Madeira Island (Portugal).
  • Slovakia * ECHO Daily Flash of 04 January 2021 * Floods and flood warnings during the last 24 hours reported by national services. (European Flood Awareness System – EFAS). Warning level 2/3 for Latorica river
  • Slovenia * ECHO Daily Flash of 04 January 2021 * Floods and flood warnings during the last 24 hours reported by national services. (European Flood Awareness System – EFAS). Threshold level 1/1 on Krka,and Ljublanica rivers
  • Sweden * ECHO Daily Flash of 04 January 2021 * Floods and flood warnings during the last 24 hours reported by national services. (European Flood Awareness System – EFAS). Warning level 2/3 for river Byälven and Upperudsälven.
  • The Philippines * ECHO Daily Flash of 04 January 2021 * Floods. (Reliefweb, Philippine News Agency, PAGASA). Heavy rain in Western and Central Visayas Regions (in particular  Negros Occidental Province) since 1 January has led to flooding. The Philippine News Agency reports one fatality in Victorias City (northern Negros Occidental),15,000 affected families and 217 destroyed or damaged houses in Victorias, Silay, Talisay, and Magalona Cities (northern Negros Occidental). Heavy rain is expected to persist forecast over the affeced areas in the next 24 hours.
  • Ukraine * ECHO Daily Flash of 04 January 2021 * Floods and flood warnings during the last 24 hours reported by national services. (European Flood Awareness System – EFAS). Threshold level 3/3 for Latorica river
  • United Kingdom * ECHO Daily Flash of 04 January 2021 * Floods and flood warnings during the last 24 hours reported by national services. (European Flood Awareness System – EFAS). Warning level 2/3 for various locations in England.

Other

  • Armenia * GOV.UK * British Citizen passport holders can stay in Armenia without a visa up to 180 days per year.
  • Guadeloupe * GC.CA * Your passport must be valid for the duration of the stay.
  • Kenya * GOV.UK * You need a visa to enter Kenya. Kenyan entry visas are exclusively issued electronically, with passengers required to obtain their e-visas before departure. You can apply for single entry and transit visas on the e-visas website.
  • Martinique * GC.CA * Your passport must be valid for the duration of the stay.
  • Montenegro * GOV.UK * From 26 December Montenegro Airlines flights will stop operating due to the closure of the company. For more information about your rights, visit the Citizen’s Advice Bureau website. For help resolving problems with a flight booking, visit the website of the Civil Aviation Authority. For questions about travel insurance, contact your insurance provider and if you are not happy with their response, you can complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
  • South Korea (Republic of Korea) * GOV.AU *Accidents on electric scooters are common in South Korean cities. Make sure you have adequate health and liability insurance before riding.

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.