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 

• Haitian media struggle to survive in face of attacks (UN News) – An increase in attacks on media outlets in Haiti by armed gangs which control most of the capital Port-au-Prince is intended to intimidate journalists and instill chaos according to the UN agency for culture, UNESCO. 
• South Sudan: escalating violence in Upper Nile (ERCC) – On 19 March, in the town of Nasir in the Upper Nile State, governmental SSPDF airstrikes hit civilian areas including the hospital, increasing further the number of men, women and children injured or killed in the last few days. This incident occurred amid increased fighting which has displaced some 84,000 people and is exacerbating the severe food insecurity and acute malnutrition situation. 
• Armed men abduct dozens from a bus in Ethiopia (BBC) – Dozens of bus passengers in Ethiopia have been abducted by armed men in the country’s largest region, Oromia, as they were were travelling from the capital, Addis Ababa. Details are only just emerging of the kidnappings which took place earlier this week. 
• Turkey arrests dozens over online posts after Erdogan rival detained (BBC) – Authorities in Turkey have arrested dozens of people for “provocative” social media posts after the Mayor of Istanbul Ekrem Imamoglu was detained on Wednesday. Imamoglu was one of 106 people held on charges including corruption and aiding terrorist groups – a move that has sparked protests in Istanbul and the capital, Ankara. 
• Brazilian police kill at least 3 men in exchange of fire with suspected burglars (AP News) – Brazilian military police killed at least three men in the Sao Paulo area in what officials said Wednesday was an exchange of fire when officers engaged with suspected burglars. The deaths prompted protesters to set a bus on fire. 
• 85 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes across Gaza (Arab News) – The Gaza health ministry says at least 85 Palestinians killed, 133 wounded in Israeli offensive in Gaza on Thursday. Medics said Israeli strikes targeted several houses in northern and southern areas of the Gaza Strip. There was no immediate comment from Israel. 

Infrastructure 

• WHO calls for countries to address disruptions to TB services (CIDRAP) – In a statement issued ahead of World Tuberculosis Day (March 24), the WHO said the “drastic and abrupt” cuts to global health funding threaten to reverse gains made in global efforts to combat TB, which remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease. Those efforts have saved an estimated 79 million lives worldwide since 2000, the organization said. 
• African leaders take stock of health cuts, chart path forward (CIDRAP) – At a briefing today, the head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said a sharp drop in outside funding, spurred by a broad shutdown in most foreign aid by the Trump administration, will lead to two million to four million more deaths each year and reverse two decades of achievements in maternal and child health. He said the cuts will also hinder infectious disease control efforts. 

Environment 

• Malaysia – Floods and landslides (ERCC) – Heavy rainfall has been affecting Peninsular Malaysia over the last 24 hours, causing floods, flash floods, and triggering landslides that have resulted in population evacuations and damage. Media report, as of 20 March, nearly 900 evacuated people across Johor state, where the worst affected cities are Johor Bahru (with 567 evacuated people), Kulai, and Pontian. 
• Venezuela – Floods (ERCC) – Heavy rainfall has been affecting northern Venezuela (in particular the La Guaira state) since 18 March, causing floods and flash floods that have resulted in affected population and damage. Media report, as of 20 March, approximately 300 affected people across the La Guaira state, where the worst affected area is the Caraballeda town. In addition, media also report a number of flooded houses across the state. 

Health 

• U.S. measles outbreak continues to grow (CDC). As of March 19, 2025, approximately 359 measles cases (including probable cases) and at least 3 outbreaks have been reported this year across 18 jurisdictions in the United States. Follow the CDC Measles Outbreak dashboard. CDC recommends individuals planning to travel internationally: DO NOT travel while sick, especially with a fever and rash. Be fully vaccinated against measles at least 2 weeks prior to departure, in accordance with CDC guidelines. Upon return to the US monitor your health for 3 weeks and contact your local health department or provider if symptoms such as high fever, cough, or rash develop. 

Migration 

• Somalia – Mass internal displacement (ERCC) – An estimate increase of over 230,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) between April and June 2025, reaching a total of 4.1 million IDPs by the end of the quarter. Somalia faces worsening drought due to consecutive failed rainy seasons, with the upcoming Gu season expected to have below-normal rainfall. This will intensify water scarcity, reduce agricultural output, and heighten food insecurity. During this period, the number of people suffering above critical food insecurity is projected to rise by 1 million – affecting at least 4.4 million people. 

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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