World Status Report

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

More health and security information 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, and the CDC, ECDC, and WHO sites. Not all advise in these sites will apply to US travelers.

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

• Throughout South Sudan’s Greater Upper Nile Region “desperation is rising” as escalating armed conflict (UN News), which has displaced at least 20,000 people since August, have forced some to run for their lives up to four times, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said on Wednesday.
• Nigeria to limit cash withdrawals to $225 a week (Al Jazeera English). Authorities have been trying to curb counterfeiting and discourage the payment of ransoms to kidnappers who demand cash.
• Suspected suicide blast in Bandung police station kills two (The Jakarta Post). Two people were killed and eight wounded in Bandung on Wednesday when a suspected militant who may have been angered by the country’s new criminal code blew himself up at a police station, authorities said.
• Train collision in Spain hurts 155, no serious injuries (ABC). Spanish officials say two trains collided near Barcelona early Wednesday.
• Peruvian lawmakers have voted to oust President Pedro Castillo (CNN), dramatically escalating Wednesday’s political crisis that began hours earlier when Castillo attempted to dissolve the legislative body and install an emergency government.
• Germany says it foiled a far-right coup plot (NPR). At least 25 people are under arrest, including 22 suspected members of a “terrorist organization,” Public Prosecutor General Peter Frank said in a brief news conference.

Demonstrations

• South Korea considers ordering more truckers back to work (Reuters). The South Korean government was moving on Wednesday towards ordering more truckers to return to work as their national strike entered its 14th day.

Infrastructure

• Zimbabweans without power for 19 hours a day as Kariba dam runs dry (News24). Zimbabweans are being subjected to 19 hours of power cuts a day, because there is insufficient water in the Kariba dam to drive the nation’s main hydropower plant.

Natural Disasters

• The activity of Mount Semeru in Indonesia (ERCC) and located between the Regencies of Lumajang and Malang (East Java Province) is ongoing, and on the morning of 7 December, the ash plume reached 500 m above the crater. The alert level of Mount Semeru is still at IV. Activities within a radius of 8 km and in the southeastern sector along Besuk Kobokan river 17 km from the summit of the volcano are not recommended.
• Heavy rainfall continues to affect several Brazilian States (ERCC), resulting in an increased humanitarian impact. More than 13,800 people have been displaced across 53 Municipalities of Bahia, of which 31 are in an emergency situation. Nearly 78,400 individuals have been affected by floods.

Health

• In the Karamoja region in Uganda (ERCC), with around half of the normal crop production level for a 3rd consecutive season combined with continued insecurity, the number of households facing crisis (IPC Phase 3) and emergency (IPC Phase 4) remains atypically high post-harvest. In other areas, despite ongoing harvesting, the number of households facing stress (IPC Phase 2) is expected to persist through to May 2023 due to below-average national crop production.
• CDC reports cholera in a few travelers, urges travel history in diarrhea workup (CIDRAP). Eight infections in travelers returning from affected areas have been reported in the US. The CDC says 25 countries are currently experiencing active cholera transmission. Though cholera infections are rare and community transmission in the United States is unlikely, the CDC urged providers to obtain a travel history when they evaluate patients who have acute onset of watery diarrhea.
• Models predict massive waves of disease and death if China lifts ‘zero COVID’ policy (Science) Surprised and stung by protests against draconian “zero-COVID” policies, Chinese authorities are gingerly moving to ease the burden of lockdowns, quarantines, and constant testing. But 3 years into the pandemic, China shows no sign of planning a major course change. Mathematical models suggest why: The country is still ill-prepared for living with SARS-CoV-2. Easing restrictions today would likely trigger a massive wave of infections, overwhelm health care facilities, and bring a high death toll.

Humanitarian

• UN Emergency Relief Coordinator reported to the UN Security Council on “the widespread death, destruction, displacement, and suffering” taking place since the invasion of 24 February (UN News), and the challenges that the continuing violence and winter weather were exacerbating. “Over 14 million people remain forcibly displaced from their homes in Ukraine, including 6.5 million internally displaced in Ukraine, and over 7.8 million refugees recorded across Europe”, he detailed. 

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.

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