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 

• Cybercrime crackdown: 306 arrested in Africa-wide operation (Africa News) – Authorities in seven African nations have arrested 306 suspects and seized 1,842 devices in a major international crackdown on cyber-enabled scams. Between November 2024 and February 2025, Operation Red Card targeted cross-border fraud networks exploiting mobile banking, investment platforms, and messaging apps, with more than 5,000 victims identified. 
• Power struggle leads to coup in Tigray as war looms between Ethiopia and Eritrea (The Guardian) – Tigray’s interim leader flees as rival faction seizes control, while Ethiopian tanks and troops move to border of Eritrea 
• Sudan’s military says it has retaken Khartoum’s Republican Palace, seat of country’s government (AP) – Sudan’s military said Friday it retook the Republican Palace in Khartoum, the last heavily guarded bastion of rival paramilitary forces in the capital, after nearly two years of fighting. 

Demonstrations 

• Thousands rally in Amsterdam in protest of racism and far-right policies (EURO News) – Organisers of the demonstration warned against the rise of the far-right in the Netherlands, whose government veered to the right last year. Thousands took to the streets of Amsterdam to demonstrate against racism and fascism on Saturday.  The protest was peaceful and police did not arrest anyone, according to an official spokesperson.  
• Slovakia at ‘critical crossroads’ as months of protest threaten pro-Moscow Fico (Euronews) – The protest movement aims to reaffirm the EU’s importance for Slovakia as the country’s government tilts towards Russia. 
• Second night of protest breaks out in Turkey despite ban (BBC) – Police in Istanbul have used tear gas and rubber bullets against demonstrators in a second night of disorder after the arrest of the Mayor of Istanbul Ekrem Imamoglu – despite a four-day protest ban being in place. 

Environment 

• South Korea – Wildfires (ERCC) – Wildfires have been affecting southern South Korea, in particular, Sancheong, Euiseong and Ulju counties, since 21 March, causing casualties and damage. As of 24 March, four fatalities, nearly 2,750 evacuated people, the majority of whom are in several shelters, and more than 160 damaged buildings across the three aforementioned affected counties. 
• Japan – Wildfires (ERCC) – As of 24 March, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency (FDMA) reports that in Imabari City, Ehime prefecture, Shikoku Island, the wildfires burnt an area of 137 ha, one person has been injured, and at least 1,887 have been displaced. In Kumamoto prefecture, Kyushu island, 20 ha has burnt, and one person has been injured. In Okayama prefecture, Honshu island, approximately 250 ha has been burnt, 893 people are under evacuation order, and six buildings have been damaged.  As of the same date, media reports a total of 2,800 evacuated people. 
• Chile – Wildfires (ERCC) – At least 19 wildfires have been affecting Biobío-Ñuble and La Araucanía regions, in central Chile, resulting in evacuations and damage. As of 23 March, at least 2,050 people have been displaced across seven shelters, 36,660 people were affected, and several classes have been suspended in Biobío-Ñuble and La Araucanía regions. 

Health 

• Haiti – Cholera cases reported in camps (ERCC) – The national health authorities registered at least 975 suspected cholera cases including 15 deaths since the beginning of 2025, in the poorest and most violence-prone areas of Port-au-Prince. Some cases are reported also in Centre and Artibonite regions. Meanwhile, an upsurge in violences since mid-February in Port au Prince Metropolitan has led to the forced displacement of over 65,000 people gathering in sites where 250,000 internally displaced persons (IPDs) were already seeking refuge away from criminal armed groups controlling an estimated 90% of the capital city. 
• Measles cases top 350 in Texas-New Mexico measles outbreak (CIDRAP) – Also, states report more international travel-related cases, pushing the national total to 378 so far this year. 
• Angola, Nigeria, Somalia record new polio cases (CIDRAP) – Also, a group of experts expresses concern about an increase in recent months in wild poliovirus cases in Afghanistan and Pakistan. 

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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