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

• Sudan conflict: Khartoum residents fear food shortages amid fighting (BBC News). Ongoing fighting in Sudan’s capital is now severely affecting food supplies, as well as disrupting access to water and electricity, according to Khartoum residents who spoke to the BBC.
• Stampede in Yemen at Ramadan charity event kills at least 78 (AP). A crowd apparently panicked by gunfire and an electrical explosion stampeded at an event to distribute financial aid during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Yemen’s capital late Wednesday, killing at least 78 people and injuring at least 73 other, according to witnesses and Houthi rebel officials.
• Costa Rica president promises more police, tougher laws (AP News). President Rodrigo Chaves promised Wednesday to put more police in the streets and demanded changes in Costa Rica’s laws to confront record-setting numbers of homicides that have shaken daily life in a country long known for peaceful stability.

Demonstrations

• Police intervene in first climate blockades, protests in Berlin (DPA on MSN.com). The climate group Last Generation started its previously announced actions on Wednesday with protest marches through the centre of the German capital Berlin. According to Last Generation, up to 800 activists are initially planning actions and blockades in the government district in the capital over the next few days.
• London Marathon could face potential disruption from environmental groups (CNN on MSN.com). The London Marathon could become the latest sporting event to face protests and potential disruption from environmental campaign group Just Stop Oil which says it will “continue to disrupt sports and cultural events.

Infrastructure

• South Africa braces for dark winter as electricity crisis persists (The East African). South Africa, the continent’s most industrialised country, is in the grip of an energy crisis that critics say is much deeper than the authorities openly acknowledge. The periodic electricity blackouts are expected to reach a critical stage as winter arrives in the Southern Hemisphere and sends energy demand soaring, experts warn.

Natural Disasters

• South East Asia – Heatwaves (ERCC). A widespread and severe heatwave has been impacting parts of South and South-East Asia.
  • Extreme temperatures of exceeding 42 C have been reported at 36 weather stations across India. Thailand reached 45 C for the first time in history. Temperatures in Nepal’s southern belt have risen above 40 C. A significant heat wave has also been reported in Bangladesh’s Dhaka divisions.
  • At least 15 people have died as a result of high temperatures in Thailand and India, and the death toll is expected to rise in coming days.
  • Several states in India have closed educational institutions. In Thailand, health officials have advised residents to stay at home to avoid heatstroke. 
  • Experts warn global warming is compounding the continent’s bad weather, which is projected to continue into next week.
• Cambodia – Severe weather (ERCC). On 14 April, heavy rainfall with thunderstorms and strong winds hit 24 Provinces of Cambodia, resulting in widespread damage.
• Philippines – Tropical Depression Amang (ERCC). Over the past week, central and southern Philippines have been affected by the passage of tropical depression Amang causing floods and leading to displacement and damage.
• The world could breach a new average temperature record in 2023 or 2024 (Reuters), fueled by climate change and the anticipated return of the El Nino weather phenomenon, climate scientists say. Climate models suggest that after three years of the La Nina weather pattern in the Pacific Ocean, the world will experience a return to El Nino later this year.

Health

• The WHO this week said the COVID-19 pandemic remains volatile (Barrons), warning that the virus could bring further trouble before settling into a predictable pattern. The agency noted that in the past 28 days, 23,000 people have died of COVID-19 and 3 million new cases have been reported, even with much lower levels of testing.

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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