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 

• Colombia: Catatumbo killings highlight fragility of peace process (UN News) – The recent deadly violence in Colombia’s Catatumbo region has highlighted the ongoing challenges in consolidating peace, eight years after the signing of the 2016 Final Peace Agreement, the UN Security Council heard on Wednesday.  Clashes between the National Liberation Army (ELN) and a rival armed group, EMBF, erupted last week in the remote northeastern region, leaving dozens dead, including former combatants, peace signatories, social leaders, and human rights defenders. 
• Bomb threats disrupt dozens of schools across Hungary (EURO News) – Law enforcement is investigating the threats, believed to have come from the same source, and have taken precautionary measures. Emails containing a bomb threat were sent to multiple educational institutions in Hungary on Thursday morning, causing them to temporarily shut down out of precaution, the National Police Headquarters (ORFK) said. The threats have affected at least 268 schools nationwide, prompting an investigation by the authorities. 
• At least 11 killed in rail accident in west India (Reuters) – At least 11 people died in a rail accident in India’s western Maharashtra state on Wednesday when they disembarked from their train, fearing a fire, only to be hit by another train passing on the adjacent track, local media reported. Railway officials told local media that someone had pulled the train’s alarm chain, causing it to come to a halt, after which several passengers deboarded onto the adjacent tracks and were mowed down by another passing train. 
• 1 person is killed and 2 injured in stabbing outside Nagano station in central Japan (AP News) – Nagano police and fire department officials said a 49-year-old man was pronounced dead at a hospital. A 37-year-old man was wounded but conscious, while a 46-year-old woman had a head injury from falling. Those attacked described the suspect as an unfamiliar middle-aged man, the Kyodo News agency reported. The stabbing occurred near a bus terminal outside Nagano station. 
• Thousands uprooted as Congo M23 rebels near Goma in major advance (Reuters) – Laden with just the possessions they can carry, thousands of displaced people have reached the outskirts of the city of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, fleeing a rapid M23 rebel advance that has taken more territory than ever before. The advance marks a turning point for the M23 since it launched a fresh insurgency into Congo’s mineral-rich east in March 2022, analysts say. 
• Israeli tank kills two Palestinians west of Gaza’s Rafah (Reuters) – An Israeli tank killed two Palestinians west of Gaza’s Rafah on Thursday, the Gaza civil defence said. Israel and Hamas agreed to halt fighting in Gaza in a deal that went into effect on Sunday. 

Demonstrations 

• Thousands protest the killing of 2 young brothers in Mexico’s troubled Sinaloa state (AP News) – Thousands took to the streets Thursday to protest the killing of two children in an attempted carjacking in Mexico’s troubled northwestern state of Sinaloa. 

Health 

• Tanzania confirms second Marburg virus case (CIDRAP) – The 2 positive cases are among 31 samples tested, and officials are considering use of antivirals and experimental vaccine. 
• Central African Republic launches mpox vaccination; cases rise in Uganda (CIDRAP) – In the region’s other developments, Sierra Leone reported more cases, with the first two linked to the clade 2 global strain. 

Migration 

• Mexico builds temporary shelters to prepare for mass deportations from US (Reuters) – Mexican authorities have begun constructing giant tent shelters in the city of Ciudad Juarez to prepare for a possible influx of Mexicans deported under U.S. President Donald Trump’s promised mass deportations. The temporary shelters in Ciudad Juarez will have the capacity to house thousands of people and should be ready in a matter of days, said municipal official Enrique Licon. 

Environment 

• Philippines – Earthquakes (ERCC) – Two different earthquakes hit the southern Philippines on 22 and 23 January. The epicentre of the 5.7 M was located 7 km east-southeast of Liloan town while the 5.4 M epicentre was offshore 9 km west-southwest of Siocon town. USGS PAGER estimates that for the 5.7 M 8,000 people were exposed to very strong shaking and 63,000 to strong shaking. Regarding the 5.4 M event, 39,000 people were exposed to strong shaking. According to initial reports of media, there are no casualties or damage following the two events. 
• Chile – Wildfire (ERCC) – A wildfire has been affecting the Los Sauces municipality, Malleco province, Araucanía region, central Chile since 19 January, causing casualties and damage. According to the National System for Disaster Prevention, Mitigation and Attention (SENAPRED), the total burnt area reached nearly 1,100 ha and the wildfire is currently under containment. As of 23 January, three fatalities (firefighters), nine injured people, and a number of evacuation orders across the area of the Los Sauces municipality and the neighbouring municipalities of Nahuelbe, Romulhueco, and Ninico. 
• Death toll in deadly flooding and landslides in Indonesia rises to 21 (AP News) – Indonesian rescuers retrieved four more bodies after they resumed their search Wednesday for people missing after floods and landslides on Indonesia’s main island of Java, bringing the death toll to 21. 

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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