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 

• Russia fires intercontinental ballistic missile in attack on Ukraine (Reuters) – Russia fired an intercontinental ballistic missile during an attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Thursday, Kyiv’s air force said, in what would be the first use in war of a weapon designed to deliver long-distance nuclear strikes. The launch, if confirmed, highlights rapidly rising tensions in the 33-month-old war after Ukraine fired U.S. and British missiles at targets inside Russia this week despite warnings by Moscow that it would see such action as a major escalation. 
• Myanmar – Highest number of mine casualties globally (ERCC) – A new report from the International Campaign to Ban Landmines has found that Myanmar has the highest number of casualties from landmines and explosive remnants of war globally. Just over 1,000 casualties have been reported in Myanmar, out of 5,757 worldwide. Both the Myanmar military and non-state armed groups are documented as using mines. 
• Israeli strikes kill scores in Gaza with many trapped beneath the rubble (Reuters) – The Israeli military bombed at least five crowded homes in northern Gaza early on Thursday with many casualties buried beneath the rubble, Palestinian health officials said, as troops deepened an incursion along the territory’s northern edge. Rescue operations were under way in the northern Gaza town of Beit Lahiya, medics said. Hamas media put the number of fatalities at 66, most of whom it said had not been recovered. 

Environment 

• Cameroon – Floods, update (ERCC) – Heavy rainfall has affected north-eastern Cameroon between 19 September and 11 November causing floods that have resulted in considerable damage. As of 20 November, at least 84,000 people had been affected by flooding in Logone and Chari, Mayo-Danay, Diamaré, Mayo-Tsanaga and Mayo-Kani departments in the Far North region. 
• Malaysia – Flood (ERCC) – Heavy rainfall has been affecting Peninsular Malaysia since 19 November, causing floods that have resulted in population displacement and damage. As of 20 November, more than 2,765 people have been displaced across Kemaman, Marang, Hulu Terengganu and Setiu districts in Terengganu state in eastern Peninsular Malaysia due to the rising water levels of several rivers.Iceland 
• Iceland – Volcanic eruption (ERCC) – A new eruption started on the Sundhnúkur fissure swarm (Reykjanes Peninsula) between Stóra-Skógfell and Sýlingarfell on 20 November at 23.14 UTC. The length of the fissure is estimated to be about 3 km and the lava flow is spreading both eastward and westward. The lava flow has crossed Grindavíkurvegur road and it is currently impassable. The lava has also flowed over a water pipe supplying hot water to 30,000 inhabitants in Reykjanes. The water pipe is still operational due to structural mitigation efforts and the situation is monitored closely. 

Health 

• Acute hunger stalks one in four people in DR Congo (UN News) – UN humanitarians warned on Thursday that one in four people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo suffers from “crisis or worse” levels of hunger that affects a staggering 25.6 million people. The embattled east is a particular concern, where the situation is deteriorating after decades of fighting involving around 100 armed groups – including the M23 militia – who vie for control of vast natural riches, threatening regional security. 
• Poland detects polio in Warsaw wastewater sample (CIDRAP) – A sewage sample collected this month in Warsaw revealed poliovirus type 2. Over the past few years, similar detections were reported from Spain and the United Kingdom. officials said the current polio vaccination rate in 3-year-olds in 2023 was 86%, which is below the 95% level needed to prevent the spread of the virus. Europe has been free of the virus since 2002, and Poland recorded its last cases in 1982 and 1984. 

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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