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

• EAC extends regional force mandate to September (The EastAfrican). A regional force set up to tackle militia violence in East Democratic Republic of Congo has been extended to September, a minister and a spokesperson for the force said on Wednesday.
• Ethiopia: “ethnic cleansing” continues in Tigray despite peace agreement, (HRW). Local authorities and Amhara forces in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region have continued to forcibly expel Tigrayans as part of an ethnic cleansing campaign in Western Tigray Zone since the November 2, 2022, truce agreement, Human Rights Watch said.
• Uganda’s anti-LGBTQ law stipulates capital punishment (Reuters) for “serial offenders” and for transmission of a terminal illness like HIV/AIDS through sex. It also decrees a 20-year sentence for “promoting” homosexuality. Firms including media and non-governmental organisations that knowingly promote LGBTQ activity will also incur harsh fines.

Demonstrations

• Efforts to defuse Kosovo crisis intensify amid more protests (The Hill). International efforts to defuse a crisis in Kosovo intensified Wednesday as ethnic Serbs held more protests in a northern town where recent clashes with NATO-led peacekeepers occurred.

Events

• Thousands marched in Jerusalem Pride parade, first under Israel’s most right-wing government ever (AP). Thousands of people marched in Jerusalem’s Pride parade on Thursday, an annual event that took place this year under Israel’s most right-wing government ever, stacked with openly homophobic members. Jerusalem’s march is typically more subdued than the one in gay-friendly Tel Aviv, where tens of thousands of revelers pour into the streets for a massive, multicolored party. But Thursday’s parade, amid tight security, drew bigger crowds than usual in a show of force against the government and its plan to reshape the legal system.

Economy

• Egypt is in the midst of a profound economic crisis that threatens to disrupt its domestic, economic and foreign policies – deepening public disenchantment and potentially fuelling social unrest (Crisis Group). The war in Ukraine has exacerbated this predicament: its effects on the global economy have exposed Egypt’s longstanding dependence on fuel and food imports, which have become too expensive for the country to afford, as well as short-term foreign financing, which has also become more costly.

Natural Disasters

• Pakistan – Severe weather (ERCC). In the past few days, heavy rain and hailstorms hit parts of Sindh Province, particularly the Hyderabad and Kotri cities area, causing severe weather-related incidents and resulting in casualties and damage.
• Indonesia – Floods (ERCC). Over the past few days, heavy rainfall has affected parts of Indonesia, causing floods and resulting in casualties and damage.
• Uganda – Landslide (ERCC). A landslide triggered by heavy rainfall occurred in Bulambuli District on the slopes of Mount Elgon (Eastern Region, eastern Uganda), leading to casualties and damages to houses and infrastructure.
• Jordan – Severe weather and flash floods (ERCC). On 30 May, several parts of Jordan experienced heavy rainfall and hailstorms that caused flash floods and resulted in casualties and damage.
• New Zealand – Floods (ERCC). On 30 May, torrential rain hit Waihi Beach Town (North Island, northern New Zealand) causing floods and resulting in evacuations and damage.
• Indonesia – Severe weather (ERCC). Heavy rainfall, strong winds and thunderstorms have been affecting northern Indonesia (in particular the Sumatra Island) over the period 24 – 28 May, causing a number of strong wind-related incidents that have resulted in casualties and damage.

Health

• On mpox – ECDC. Based on evidence in the current outbreak and the low number of new infections, the overall risk of mpox remains moderate for men who have sex with men and low for the broader population. However, ECDC has warned of the possibility of an increase in cases during the coming summer season due to a number of festivities such as Pride events and increased travel. Mpox is primarily transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, including during sex, with someone who has mpox. Mpox may also be transmitted to others even before symptoms start. Personal protective measures include discussing with a healthcare provider about getting vaccinated, keeping up-to-date with information on mpox from trusted sources, talking to sexual partners about mpox, practising safer sex and keeping good hand hygiene.
• Bangladeshi study finds high levels of multidrug-resistant, foodborne Salmonella (CIDRAP). A systematic review and meta-analysis found significant levels of multidrug-resistant Salmonella in livestock- and poultry-derived foods in Bangladesh. In addition to the threat posed to people consuming Salmonella-contaminated food, the study authors note that the findings are particularly concerning in a country like Bangladesh, where domestic chickens—the most common source of Salmonellosis—are routinely given antibiotics, live close to humans, and can shed the bacteria into the environment.

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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