World Status Report
April 30, 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 publication date of this report, and go to the direct sources linked for the most up-to-date information. The information in this report may change without prior notice.
Security
South Sudan is one of the most dangerous places for humanitarian workers. In 2020, nine were killed while on duty (a three-fold increase compared to 2019), and four have already lost their life in 2021. All of them are South Sudanese nationals (ERCC). The turmoil in the aftermath of the military coup in Myanmar, coupled with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic could result in 25 million people – nearly half of the country’s population, living in poverty by early next year (UN News). A “complex and unpredictable security situation” in Tigray continues to impede the delivery of life-saving assistance to Ethiopia’s northern region (UN News).
Natural Disasters
Heavy rainfall has been reported across Saint Vincent Island, causing lahars (mud and debris flow), compounding the situation in areas already affected by the eruptions of La Soufriere volcano (ERCC). Widespread floods continue to affect the coastal area of western Burundi since February, resulting in evacuation and damage impacting thousands of people (ERCC).
Health
In Colombia, some 6.7 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, including 5.6 million in severe need, with some 3.5 million people facing severe food insecurity (ERCC).
COVID-19
International preventative measures against COVID-19, including entry restrictions and in-country mobility remain very fluid, and can be imposed without prior notice. Details for each country can be found in the travel advisories issued by the governments of the United States, Canada, the UK, New Zealand, and Australia. The UNWTO and IATA Destination Tracker offers relevant information on a destination status. The Timeline of EU Member States Reopening Their Borders offers a list of opened EU countries for travelers, and dates of warned opening.
As notable cases: The European Union’s Parliament has given its nod to the establishment of a “EU COVID-19 certificate” in order to restore the freedom of travel within the block (Schengenvisainfo). It is anticipated that many (European) countries will require international visitors to be fully vaccinated against the COVID-19, provide a negative test result obtained recently, or prove immunity from the Coronavirus upon entry into another country (Schengenvisainfo).
Globally, as of 30 April, Johns Hopkins University counts 150,630,922 COVID-19 cases and 3,168,601 deaths, and the WHO COVID-19 dashboard reports 149,910,744 cases and 3,155,168 deaths.
As notable cases: India is registering over 350,000 new cases each day, with no end in sight. Hospitals are completely overwhelmed. Oxygen is in very short supply. People are dying of COVID on the streets. Given the sheer size of India, what is happening right now is a humanitarian crisis of a massive scale (UN Dispatch). Japan reported 5,795 Covid-19 cases Thursday, the highest number of cases since late January (CNN). Covid-19 deaths top 400,000 in Brazil as daily death tolls remain in the thousands (CNN).
Vaccination campaigns around the world continue. As of 29 April, Our World in Data reports 1.11 billion administered vaccine doses globally. The WHO COVID-19 dashboard reports over 1.01 billion administered vaccine doses.
As notable cases: In India, states run out of COVID-19 vaccines, nationwide inoculation is delayed (Reuters). South Africa begins its mass COVID-19 vaccination campaign, aimed at reaching 40 million people – the minimum to reach herd immunity – by the beginning of next year (The New Humanitarian). People will likely need a COVID-19 vaccine booster about 9 to 12 months after their second dose of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine, company president Stephen Hoge said Thursday (CNN).
Risk Levels
CDC COVID-19 Levels, last update on April 26
| # Countries | Risk Level |
| 139 | Level 4: COVID-19 Very High (avoid all travel) |
| 22 | Level 3: COVID-19 High (avoid all non-essential travel) |
| 36 | Level Unknown: COVID-19 Unknown (avoid all non-essential travel) |
| 17 | Level 2: COVID-19 Moderate (travelers at increased risk for severe illness, avoid all non-essential travel) |
| 31 | Level 1: COVID-19 Low (take steps to mitigate risks before, during, and after travel) |
U.S. Department of State Levels, last update on April 28
| # Countries | Risk Level |
| 158 | Level 4: Do Not Travel |
| 37 | Level 3: Reconsider Travel |
| 16 | Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution |
| 0 | Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions |
Please note the publication date of this report and go to the direct sources linked for the most up-to-date information. The information in this report may change without prior notice.
