International Education > Archive > Category: World Status Report

100620 – World Status Report

October 6, 2020

This report intends to give the UTD Community a snapshot of international risks, and other issues as reported by the linked official sources from the U.S. and other countries.

Please note the revision date (mmddyy) of this report, printed on the title of the post, and go to the direct sources listed for the most up-to-date information.  The information in this report may change without prior notice.

Take Enhanced Precautions

Conflict and Terrorism

  • Armenia * GC.CA * In September 2020, armed clashes occurred between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Armed forces have been mobilized and the tense situation could heighten the risk of ongoing conflict. Armenian authorities have declared martial law. Certain airlines have temporarily suspended their services to and from the country. If you are in Armenia: avoid all travel to the region of Nagorno–Karabakh, the surrounding areas and within 5 km of the border with Azerbaijan, monitor local media for the latest information, follow the instructions of local authorities, contact your airline or tour operator to determine if the situation will disrupt your travel plans.
  • Armenia * GOV.UK * Military activity is continuing along the Line of Contact in Nagorno-Karabakh. On 4 October, the Azerbaijani government announced that it may attack military installations within Armenia as well as Nagorno-Karabakh. You should avoid areas around military bases and installations. Armenia declared a nationwide state of emergency on 27 September following widespread military activity along the Line of Contact in Nagorno-Karabakh. Among other restrictions, this prohibits mass gatherings, introduces curbs on the spread of information about the situation from unofficial sources, and provides extra powers for police and other civil authorities to enforce public safety and order.
  • Armenia * GOV.AU * Due to ongoing military action in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, Armenian authorities have introduced martial law. This includes prohibiting mass gatherings, curbs on spreading information and provides extra powers for police and other civil authorities to enforce public safety and order. Monitor the media for developments and follow the advice of local authorities. A nationwide “quarantine” regime is also in place. This requires face masks to be worn in all public areas and enforces social distancing and hygiene rules. The ban on foreign nationals entering Armenia has been lifted. Travellers permitted to enter Armenia are asked to self-quarantine for 14 days or submit to a COVID-19 (PCR) test. You may obtain the test at a private medical centre for a fee.
  • Azerbaijan * GC.CA * In September 2020, armed clashes occurred between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Armed forces have been mobilized and the tense situation could heighten the risk of ongoing conflict. Azerbaijani authorities have declared martial law and a nationwide curfew is in effect from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Authorities could restrict telecommunication services and suspend flights to certain destinations. If you are in Azerbaijan: avoid all travel to Nagorno–Karabakh, the surrounding areas and within 5 km of the border with Armenia, monitor local media for the latest information, follow the instructions of local authorities, contact your airline or tour operator to determine if the situation will disrupt your travel plans.
  • Azerbaijan * GOV.UK * The FCDO advises against all travel: within 5km of the Line of Contact, within 5km of the border with Armenia. There are reports of significant shelling going beyond these limits resulting in deaths and injuries to civilians and damage to civilian infrastucture. These include Ganja, Terter, Agdam, Naftalan, Beylagan and others. You should take extra care if you are in the Azerbaijani regions around Nagorno-Karabakh. The de-facto authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh have stipulated that they are prepared to target Azerbaijani military sites throughout the country. You should avoid the areas around military bases and installations. The current military situation is fast-moving and subject to change. Follow local news regularly for latest updates.
  • Azerbaijan * GOV.AU * Due to ongoing military action in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, the Azerbaijani authorities have introduced Martial Law from 28 September until further notice. A curfew has been introduced across Azerbaijan from 9pm to 6am. Some flights have also been cancelled. Contact your travel agent or airline for the latest details. You must wear a facemask in public. You could be fined if you don’t comply. Restrictions in place due to COVID-19 may change at short notice. Follow the local media and advice of local authorities for the latest updates.

Demonstrations and Social Unrest

  • New Caledonia * GC.CA * A second referendum on independence is due to take place on October 4, 2020. Demonstrations could occur before, during and after the referendum.

Health

  • Democratic Republic of the Congo * WHO * Monkeypox. From 1 January through 13 September 2020, a total of 4,594 suspected cases of monkeypox, including 171 deaths (case fatality ratio 3.7%), have been reported in 127 health zones from 17 out of 26 provinces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The first epidemic peak was observed at the beginning of March 2020 (epi week 10), with 136 cases reported weekly (Figure1). From 1 January through 7 August, the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (INRB) received 80 patients whose samples were tested. Confirmatory testing remains ongoing. 
  • Multi-country * CDC *Polio. There are polio outbreaks in several countries in Africa. CDC recommends that all travelers to these countries be vaccinated fully against polio.
  • Multi-country * Communicable disease threats report, 27 September – 3 October 2020, week 40 * West Nile virus. Between 25 September and 1 October 2020, EU Member States reported 14 human cases of WNV infection, from Greece (7), Spain (5) and Italy (2). The province of Badajoz, Spain, reported locally-acquired human cases of WNV infection for the first time through TESSy. All other cases were reported from areas that have been affected during previous transmission seasons. This week, two deaths were reported, by Greece (1) and Spain (1). No human cases of WNV infection or deaths were reported from EU-neighbouring countries.
  • Multi-country * Communicable disease threats report, 27 September – 3 October 2020, week 40  * Influenza A(H9N2). Since the CDTR update in June 2020, an additional human case of influenza A(H9N2) was reported in China. The case is a four- year-old girl from Meizhou, Guangdong province. She was admitted to hospital on 4 August 2020 after onset of illness on 3 August 2020. The patient had mild symptoms and recovered fully. A contact with domestic poultry was reported. No further cases were confirmed among the contacts of this case.
  • Multi-country * Communicable disease threats report, 27 September – 3 October 2020, week 40  * Cholera. Since the last update on 28 August 2020, new cholera cases have been reported worldwide. Countries reporting the majority of new cases since the previous update are Ethiopia and Somalia.

Law and Culture

  • Kuwait * GOV.UK * The Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah died on 29 September 2020. The Government of Kuwait announced a period of 40 days of national mourning. The Government will close for the first three days of this period. You should be careful to respect local customs during this period.
  • Kuwait * GOV.AU * Kuwait is in official mourning following the passing of His Highness the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah. Government offices and businesses are closed for three days of official mourning from 29 September to 1 October 2020. Monitor local authorities for further advice. There are limited commercial flights from Kuwait to Australia via Doha, Dubai and other transit hubs. Contact your airline or travel provider and follow the Australian Embassy on social media for major updates. Follow the advice of local authorities and minimise your risk of exposure to COVID-19.

Natural Disasters and Climate

  • Cuba * GC.CA * Tropical storm Delta could become a hurricane and should sweep through the far west of Cuba around October 6, 2020. The storm is likely to bring excessive rainfall and violent winds. It may cause flash flooding and landslides and could severely disrupt the following essential services: transportation, power distribution, water and food supply, telecommunications networks, emergency services, medical care. Avoid any unnecessary travel through potentially affected areas.
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo * ECHO Daily Flash of 05 October 2020 * Floods. Floods have affected North Kivu Province (eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo) following heavy rain on 2 October. According to media reports, at least 15 people died in Sake Town (Masisi territory) after the overflow of the Mutahyo River. Dozens of people have been displaced, several houses flooded and schools and health centres damaged. More rain is expected across the affected province over the next 24 hours.
  • Georgia * ECHO Daily Flash of 05 October 2020 * Landslides and floods. Heavy rain in several regions of the country triggered landslides, causing floods and resulting in fatalities. According to the Emergency Management Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 5 people died and one is still missing following a landslide that swept away a house and a car in Khelvachauri municipality (Adjara region, south-western Georgia). Widespread floods have resulted in damage to houses and buildings. Search operations are underway for missing people. On 5-6 October, moderate to heavy rain is forecast over most parts of the country.
  • Mexico * ECHO Daily Flash of 05 October 2020 * Tropical Storm GAMMA.  A new Tropical Storm named GAMMA formed over the northern Caribbean Sea on 2 October, passing over northern Yucatan Peninsula. On 5 October at 6.00 UTC its centre was located approximately 300 km north-east of Merida city (Yucatan State, Mexico), with maximum sustained winds of 95 km/h. On 4 October, red Alert was issued in Honduras for 48 hours in 4 departments. GAMMA is forecast to move south-west along the coast of northern Yucatan on 5-6 October before making landfall north of Campeche City (Campeche State) on 7 October. Heavy rain, strong winds and storm surge are forecast over the Yucatan Peninsula, Belize, Honduras, Guatemala, El salvador, and far western Cuba on 5-7 October. A tropical storm warning has been issued for northern Yucatan Peninsula.
  • Multi-country * ECHO Daily Flash of 05 October 2020 * Tropical Cyclone TWENTY-SIX. New Tropical Cyclone TWENTY-SIX formed south of Jamaica on 4 October, moving towards the Cayman Islands and western Cuba, as a tropical depression. On 5 October at 6.00 UTC its centre was approximately 450 km south-east of Grand Cayman Island and 850 km south-east of the far west coast of Cuba, with maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h. TWENTY-SIX is forecast to pass very close to Grand Cayman on 6 October, with maximum sustained winds up to 90 km/h (tropical storm) before approaching the Pinar de Rio Province (western Cuba) with maximum sustained winds up to 120 km/h (Cat. 1 Hurricane). Heavy rain, strong winds and storm surge is forecast over western Haiti, Jamaica, southern and western Cuba, and the Cayman Islands on 5-7 October. A hurricane watch is in effect over the Pinar de Rio Province and the Isle of Youth (western Cuba), and a tropical storm warning over the Cayman Islands.
  • Multi-country * ECHO Daily Flash of 05 October 2020 * Floods. Georgia: threshold level 2/2 exceeded for Tskhenisckali – Ludji station. Italy: warning level 2/3 for Emilia Romagna, Lombardia and Toscana regions. Slovenia: threshold level 1/1 for Reka river. United Kingdom: threshold level 2/3 at several station in England and Scotland.
  • Multi-country * ECHO Daily Flash of 05 October 2020 * Severe weather. Heavy rain, strong winds, and thunderstorms have resulted in flooding in the Piedmont, Liguria, and Aosta Valley regions of Italy and the Alpes-Maritimes Department and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region of France. 5 people have died as a result in Italy and damage to infrastructure and power grids has been reported. 2 people died and at least 8 people are missing in the Alpes-Maritimes Department. 12 other people are believed to be missing. Italian Civil Protection has issued an orange alert for parts of Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany Regions. The European Commission’s Copernicus satelite mapping service was activated in rapid mapping mode for Italy (EMSR468) and France (EMSR467), with 4 maps produced.
  • Multi-country * ECHO Daily Flash of 05 October 2020 * Forest fires danger forecast. Medium or high danger in southern Portugal, southern Spain, southern Italy, Greek islands, Cyprus, Bulgaria, east Romania, Turkey.
  • United States of America * GOVT.NZ * Major wildfires have been affecting Northern and Southern California, Oregon and Washington state. Details of affected areas, health services, preparedness information, and emergency shelters can be found on the State of California emergency response portal , Oregon Governor’s wildfire resource page  and the Washington Governor’s wildfire resource page . Local power companies may cut power across various locations in the state in an attempt to prevent wildfires. We recommend monitoring the media to keep up to date with local developments and to follow any instructions issued by the local authorities such as Fire and Rescue services (including evacuation orders). Be aware that air quality in some areas may become poor due to smoke.

Other

  • Multi-country * ECHO Daily Flash of 05 October 2020 * Central America – Migrant Caravan. More than 4,000 Honduran migrants, fleeing violence and hunger, entered Guatemala on 1 October, joining a newly formed caravan heading towards the US. Guatemala opened its borders two weeks ago after six months of lockdown. While only 15 people managed to file asylum claims, more than 2,000 Hondurans were forced to return as of 3 October. DG ECHO’s partners have been assisting returnees at the Omoa Returned Migrant Care Centre (Atlantic coast of Honduras), providing food, hygiene kits, medical assistance, biosecurity equipment and restoring family links.

Ebola News

  • Democratic Republic of the Congo * Communicable disease threats report, 27 September – 3 October 2020, week 40 * Ebola.  Since the last update, and as of 29 September 2020, four additional cases and three new deaths have been reported from Equateur Province in the DRC. Makanza health zone is a newly affected region, bringing the total number of affected health zones to 13. The health zones reporting new cases and deaths are Bolomba and Makanza. Recent allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation have been made by 51 women who were involved in the Ebola response in the DRC between 2018 and 2020, against aid workers claiming to be from the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other NGOs. The WHO and IOM have released statements announcing the launch of thorough investigations, and other NGOs have swiftly followed suit.

Please note the revision date (mmddyy) of this report, printed on the title of the post, and go to the direct sources listed for the most up-to-date information.  The information in this report may change without prior notice.