World Status Report
September 20, 2023
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
- In Ethiopia, war crimes have continued unabated almost a year after a ceasefire was agreed between the country’s Government and forces from the northern Tigray region (UN News), UN-appointed independent rights experts said on Monday. Commission Chair Mohamed Chande Othman said that violent confrontations were now “at a near-national scale” and highlighted “alarming” reports of violations against civilians in the Amhara region as well as on-going atrocities. “The situation in Oromia, Amhara and other parts of the country – including ongoing patterns of violations, entrenched impunity, and increasing securitization of the State – bear hallmarked risks of further atrocities and crimes,” he warned.
- Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso establish Sahel security alliance (Al Jazeera English on MSN.com). The charter, known as the Alliance of Sahel States, signed on Saturday binds the signatories to assist one another – including militarily – in the event of an attack on any one of them.
- Peru declares state of emergency in parts of capital after crime spike (Reuters). Peruvian President Dina Boluarte said on Monday her government has declared a state of emergency in three districts hit by a spike in crime, a measure that allows the military to help enforce security.
Demonstrations
- Libya – Floods, update (ERCC). Since 18 September, citizens have taken to the streets in the flood-struck city of Derna demanding authorities for accountability for the collapse of the dams that led to the devastating flash floods. Libya’s eastern government has ordered journalists to leave Derna (The Guardian) after angry protests against the authorities a week after a flood killed thousands of residents. The media clampdown follows reports that police officers in Derna detained and questioned Libyan journalists over the weekend, holding them for several hours. Libya’s missions abroad continue to issue visas but local officials have stopped giving reporters security permits.
Natural Disasters
- Philippines – Flash floods (ERCC). On 16 September, heavy rainfall affected several districts in Tantangan area in South Cotabato Province in southern Mindanao Island, causing flash floods and resulting in displacement and damage.
- Niger – Floods, update (ERCC). The rainy season, which started at the beginning of July, continues to affect the whole Niger causing widespread floods and the overflows of Niger and Komadougou Rivers that resulted in an increasing number of casualties and damage.
- India – Monsoon rains, update (ERCC). Heavy rainfall continues to affect parts of India, causing floods and severe weather-related incidents that have resulted in casualties and damage.
- Australia, scarred by bushfires, on high alert for dangerous summer (Yahoo News). Four years since bushfires destroyed wide swathes of southeastern Australia, killing 33, the country is once again on high alert, bracing for what weather experts say will be the hottest, driest period since the so-called Black Summer.
Health
- Bangladesh is struggling to cope with a record dengue outbreak in which 778 people have died (AP News). The World Health Organization recently warned that diseases such as dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever caused by mosquito-borne viruses are spreading faster and further because of climate change.
Humanitarian
- Guatemala – Severe weather, update (ERCC). The humanitarian impact continues to increase in most parts of Guatemala following the rainy season that has been affecting the country since May 2023.
- Libya – Floods, update (ERCC). According to media, as of 18 September, more than 5,300 people died, while more than 10,000 are still missing and nearly 40,000 people have been displaced. Moreover, according to UN OCHA, at least 844,000 need humanitarian assistance, of whom 300,000 are children and 24,000 are pregnant women. These numbers are subject to further adjustment as assessments continue.
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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