032321 – World Status Report

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.

Avoid Nonessential Travel

Conflict and Terrorism

• 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.

Demonstrations and Social Unrest

• Myanmar * GOV.AU * The Myanmar military has assumed control of the country and declared a state of emergency. Martial law is in place in areas of Yangon. If you do not need to be in Myanmar, or if you have concerns for your safety, you should leave on one of the limited international flights departing Yangon. Contact airlines directly for tickets. Protest activity is widespread with security services responding. There have been fatalities, injuries and searches of residential buildings. Minimise movement during the day and avoid all protests and areas of known and possible unrest. Government and civilian leaders, journalists, protesters and others, including foreigners, have been detained and there is a risk of further detentions. A curfew is in place from 8pm to 4am and daily Internet outages occur from 1am to 9am in Yangon and other parts of the country. Stay at home during curfew hours. There are disruptions to basic services, including ATMs, communications and public health; and more may follow. For Australians who decide to remain in Myanmar, be ready to shelter-in-place. Maintain heightened security awareness, register with DFAT, monitor the media, and keep in close contact with friends and family.
• Myanmar (Burma) * GOV.UK * Martial law is now in place in six townships in Yangon: Hlaing Tharyar, Shwepyithar, Dagon Myothit (North), Dagon Myothit (South), Dagon Myothit (Seikkan) and North Okkalapa. In these areas, ignoring military instructions, or ignoring the rules around gatherings of five people or ignoring the curfew could lead to lengthy prison sentences.

Take Enhanced Precautions

Conflict and Terrorism

• Central African Republic * GC.CA * The second round of the legislative elections took place on March 14, 2021. The political and security situation is volatile and unpredictable. Central African armed groups are very active throughout the country. They have carried out several attacks since December 18, 2020, including in Bangui. On February 5, 2021, local authorities have declared a nationwide six-month state of emergency. There are reports of shortages of food and other essential goods due to disruptions in the chain of supply. Access to telecommunications, including Internet, could also be disrupted. A nationwide curfew is in effect from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Further violent incidents are likely to occur. If you are in Central African Republic: monitor local media for information on the evolving situation, expect a heightened security presence, avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place, follow the instructions of local authorities.
• Greece * GOV.UK * There’s a heightened threat of terrorist attack globally against UK interests and British nationals, from groups or individuals motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria. You should be vigilant at this time.
• Mali * GOV.AU * On 18 March 2021, the US Government issued an alert warning that a terrorist attack in Bamako may be imminent, possibly targeting diplomatic facilities or relatively vulnerable targets, such as hotels.
• Mozambique * ECHO Daily Flash of 22 March 2021 * Reported targeting of children in Cabo Delgado. (DG ECHO, Save the Children, media). Save the Children has denounced the targeting of children as young as 11 years old by armed groups. Some of these children have been brutally murdered, including by beheading, while others have been abducted and are still missing, according to a statement issued on 15 March. Children who have witnessed their siblings being murdered are likely to experience anxiety and depression or even signs of post-traumatic stress disorder, the organisation has warned. Save the Children is calling on all parties to the conflict to “respect international humanitarian and human rights laws and take all necessary actions to minimise incidental civilian harm, including ending indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks against children.” The Government of Mozambique says that investigations will be carried out. Meanwhile, the Defence and Security Forces have reportedly rescued three girls that were allegedly kidnapped by members of a non-state armed group in Cabo Delgado Province, according to media reports. The violence has claimed the lives of 2,600 people, half of them civilians, and displaced 670,000.
• Niger * ECHO Daily Flash of 22 March 2021 * Violent attack against civilian population in Tahoua region. (DG ECHO, Protection Cluster). On 21 March, violent attacks against civilian population occurred in three different localities in Tillia department. First reports inform about 38 killed civilians, mainly internally displaced people (IDP), and some injured persons. The attacks were launched by armed individuals and targeted people gathered around a borehole and well for cattle. The attacks could be acts of reprisals following several arrests of people suspected to belong to non-state armed groups (NSAG) in these localities. Tahoua region is regularly facing raid of NSAG and criminal activities (kidnappings, trafficking, etc.). Defense and security forces’ presence has been reinforced over the previous weeks, which managed to reduce criminal incidents, but activism of NSAG remains a constant threat for civilian population. Last week, violent attacks on 15 March in Tillabéri region killed 64 civilians. Tillabéri and Tahoua regions count more than 200,000 forced displaced people (refugees and IDPs). Insecurity will be a priority challenge for the new elected president of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum, whose victory was confirmed by the Constitutional Court on 21 March.
• Niger * GOV.UK * There have been multiple recent attacks in Niger, particularly in the Diffa and Tillabéri regions. Notable recent attacks include: On 16 March 2021 over 58 people were killed in attacks in Banibangou in the Tillabéri region.
• Saudi Arabia * GOV.UK * On 19 March 2021, a Riyadh oil refinery was hit by drones.

Demonstrations and Social Unrest

• Bolivia * GC.CA * Nationwide demonstrations are planned to occur on March 22, 2021. Local authorities may impose some restrictions.
• Bolivia * GOV.UK * There is currently an increased risk of political unrest and demonstrations. You should continue to avoid large crowds and public demonstrations, don’t attempt to cross blockades, and pay close attention to developments via local media and this travel advice. If you’re intending to travel within Bolivia, you should plan your travel carefully, regularly check the viability of your plans and be prepared to change them at short notice.
• Chad * GC.CA * Presidential elections are due to take place on April 11, 2021. Demonstrations could occur before, during and after the elections.
• Haiti * ECHO Daily Flash of 22 March 2021 * Worsening security situation. (DG ECHO, media). The week was marked by violence and insecurity in Haiti. Following a botched police intervention in a Port au Prince neighbourhood on 19 March, when at least four policemen lost their lives and eight others were badly injured, demonstrators took to the streets in the capital Port au Prince and in other provincial towns to protest against the government’s handling of security and demanding the President to step down. The demonstrations were marred by violence and some shops were looted and burned. Most business activities were blocked in Port au Prince. The security situation in Haiti is expected to worsen in 2021 with legislative elections (for the renewal of the Parliament, Senate and President) due to be held before the end of the year. Despite a return to calm over the weekend, more violence is expected in the coming days as opposition groups are calling for further demonstrations.
• India * GOV.UK * State level elections are due to take place in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry from 27 March to 29 April. The results will be announced on 2 May. In the lead up to the elections, political rallies and public meetings will occur across these states. You should exercise caution, avoid large gatherings, monitor local media for the latest information and follow instructions of the local authorities. For more information, please visit the Election Commission of India website.
• Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) * GC.CA * Presidential elections are due to take place on March 21, 2021. Demonstrations could occur before, during and after the elections.
• Uganda * GC.CA * Presidential inauguration is due to take place in May 2021. Violent clashes occurred throughout the election campaign. They resulted in casualties. Spontaneous gatherings could disrupt transportation and access to essential services. Access to telecommunications, including internet, could be disrupted without notice. Local authorities have declared a nationwide curfew in effect from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., until further notice. Further demonstrations are likely to occur and they could turn violent at any time. If you are in Uganda: avoid all demonstrations and large gatherings, follow the instructions of local authorities, monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations.

Natural Disasters and Climate

• Australia * ECHO Daily Flash of 22 March 2021 * Floods update. (NSW State Emergency Service, BOM, Water NSW, media). Flooding caused by heavy rain and river overflow continues to affect coastal New South Wales (south-eastern Australia). As of 22 March, media report at least 18,000 evacuated people in Mid-North Coast Region and Greater Sydney Area. A number of houses and public infrastructure, including roads and bridges have been damaged. Emergency services have conducted at least 750 rescues. In the outskirts of the Sidney area, heavy rain has caused the spillage of Warragamba Dam, which is Australia’s largest urban water supply dam. Evacuations are ongoing as evacuation orders and warnings have been issued for residents in Greater Sidney, Hunter, Mid North Coast and Clearance Nambucca Regions. Heavy rain is forecast over most of coastal New South Wales on 22-23 March. The European Commission’s Copernicus emergency satellite mapping system was activated on 19 March to provide delineation and grading products due to flooding in New South Wales (EMSR504).
• Australia * GC.CA * Excessive rainfall has been battering the state of New South Wales, on the east coast of the country, since March 18, 2021. They have caused severe flooding in several communities, including in Sydney. Local authorities have issued several evacuation orders, forcing thousands of people to leave their houses. Many roads and bridges are impassable. Heavy rains are expected to continue over the next few days in this region. Flash flooding and landslides are possible and could disrupt the following essential services: Transportation, power distribution, water and food supply, telecommunications networks, emergency services, medical care.  If you are in the affected areas: exercise caution, stay away from flooded areas, monitor local news and weather reports, follow the instructions of local authorities, including evacuation orders.
• Iceland * GC.CA * On March 19, 2021, a volcanic eruption started in Fagradalsfjall, about 30 km southwest of the capital Reykjavik. Since the end of February 2021, there has been a sustained increase in seismic activity on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Strong earthquakes could occur in the area and could lead to further volcanic eruptions. Volcanic ash could lead to air travel disruptions. If you are in Iceland: stay away from the area near the eruption, particularly if you suffer from respiratory ailments, due to gases that could be harmful, avoid areas close to mountains and steep slopes on the Reykjanes peninsula due to danger of falling rocks and landslides, monitor local media to stay informed about the evolving situation, follow the advice of local authorities.
• Japan * ECHO Daily Flash of 22 March 2021 * Earthquake. (GDACS, USGS, FDMA, media). An earthquake of 7.0 M at a depth of 54 km struck off the north-eastern coast of Honshu Island (northern-central Japan) on 20 March at 09.09 UTC (18.09 local time). The epicentre was located approximately 27 km east-northeast of Ishinomaki City (Miyagi Prefecture) and 70 km west-northwest of the 9.1 M earthquake (Great Tohoku Earthquake) that occurred on 11 March 2011 where more than 18,000 people have died. USGS PAGER estimates that up to 17,000 people were exposed to very strong shaking and 2,008,000 people to strong shaking. A tsunami warning has been issued but has been lifted at 10.30 UTC. According to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency (FDMA), at least 11 people have been injured (most of them in Miyagi Prefecture) and a house damaged. In addition, no abnormalities have been detected at nuclear power plants in the region, including the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.
• Peru * ECHO Daily Flash of 22 March 2021 * Floods. (Government of Peru, SENAMHI). Floods triggered by heavy rain occurred on 20-21 March in Yurimaguas District (Alto Amazonas Province, Loreto Region, northern Peru). As reported by the Government of Peru, about 121 families have been displaced, as houses have been damaged or destroyed, across nine settlements in Yurimaguas. Local authorities are implementing damage assessment and need analysis operations and assisting those affected with relief items. Moderate rain is forecast over Alto Amazonas on 22-23 March. 
• Thailand * ECHO Daily Flash of 22 March 2021 * Severe weather. (AHA Centre, TMD). On 20-21 March, severe weather, including strong wind and thunderstorms has been reported across nine Provinces in northern and eastern Thailand. According to AHA Centre, about 1,135 people have been affected and at least 227 houses damaged by severe weather-related events. On 22-25 March, moderate rain with strong wind and thunderstorms are forecast over most of Thailand, including the already affected areas, and Bangkok Capital City. 

Other

• Montserrat * GOV.UK * The Montserrat airport is scheduled to be closed for runway resurfacing between 11 and 22 April 2021.

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.