012021 – World Status Report

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.

Avoid Nonessential Travel

Conflict and Terrorism

• Central African Republic * DOS * Do not travel to the Central African Republic due to COVID-19, Embassy Bangui’s limited capacity to provide support to U.S. citizens, crime, civil unrest, kidnapping, and elections. Due to ongoing armed group activity and supply chain disruptions, on January 14, 2021, the Department ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees. The presidential election occurred on December 27, 2020. Although there have been no specific incidents of violence or threats targeting U.S. citizens, civil unrest, demonstrations, and election-related violence (including renewed outbreaks of armed conflict) may occur throughout the country in the period following the election.
• Ethiopia * GOV.AU * The level of advice for the Regional State of Tigray and surrounding areas remains ‘do not travel’ (level 4 of 4) due to ongoing military action. A State of Emergency remains in place, some flights are suspended, land borders are closed and communications networks are disrupted. If you’re staying in Tigray, shelter in place, monitor the media and follow instructions issued by the authorities. Australians in the Tigray region seeking emergency consular assistance should contact the Australian Embassy in Addis Ababa (see ‘Local contacts’), or call the DFAT Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135 from within Australia, or +61 2 6261 3305 internationally.
• Mali * ECHO Daily Flash of 19 January 2021 * Armed conflict, impact on civilians. (DG ECHO, Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) Partners, UN OCHA).  In the Centre and the North of Mali, the armed conflict continues to have a serious impact on civilian populations. According to the UN Security Council report in the last quarter of 2020, 182 civilians were killed, 175 injured and 163 abducted. The epicentre of violence against civilians is the Mopti region (127 civilians killed, 104 injured and 46 abducted). Forced displacement continues in 2021. In the first two weeks of the year, Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) actors funded by DG ECHO reported six displacement alerts in Mopti, Timbuktu and Menaka region with a total of  16,962 persons forced to move due to the growing insecurity caused by intercommunity violence, clashes between radical armed groups and operations of regular armed forces. This figure is in addition to the 311,193 people internally displaced in 2020. Last year, RRM actors provided emergency relief (food, shelter, household items) to over 230,000 newly displaced persons.
• Northeast Nigeria * ECHO Daily Flash of 19 January 2021 * Increased violence and protection risks. (DG ECHO, INGO partners). On 15 January 2021, Armed Opposition Groups (AOG) attacked the town of Marte, located at 114 km northeast of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, northeast Nigeria. The AOG took control of the town until 17 January 2021 when government forces regained control. More than 700 civilians were forcibly displaced due to the fighting. Security continues to deteriorate in northeast Nigeria limiting the capacity of humanitarian organisations to deliver assistance to the 10,6 million people in need, reducing the possibilities for the displaced population to return to their home towns, and rendering large areas inaccessible for the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

Kidnapping

• Iraq * GOV.AU * The security situation throughout Iraq remains volatile. Iraq has announced a ban on Australians and other foreigners travelling to Iraq from Australia and a number of other countries. If you intend to travel to Iraq despite our advice, consult your airline before travelling and check travel restrictions. Due to the volatile security environment and the ongoing threat of kidnappings, we advise you to leave Iraq as soon as you are able to do so. If you’re staying in Iraq, be alert and check media for updates on new threats.

Take Enhanced Precautions

Conflict and Terrorism

• Algeria * GOV.UK * There have been attacks against Algerian government interests and security forces, including: on 2 January 2021, two soldiers were killed whilst conducting a search and sweep operation in the province of Tipasa.
• Cameroon * GOV.UK *  Separatists have called for a lockdown across the North West and South West regions on 19th, 23rd, 26th and 27th January. The dates coincide with CHAN 2021 football matches hosted in Limbe and further lockdowns could be called as the tournament progresses. Separatists have warned against attendance of these football matches in Limbe. They have also reportedly claimed responsibility for explosions close to the Limbe stadium on Thursday 14 January, in a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) attack. Movement within the North West and South West regions will likely be limited. If you decide to travel to, or within, areas of the North West and South West regions where the FCDO advises against all travel or all but essential travel, you should consider carefully the risks of travel, monitor developments closely, keep a low profile and minimise your movements.

Crime

• Madagascar * GOV.UK * Since 2012 there have been a number of explosions in Antananarivo, including in June 2016 when a grenade attack killed 2 people and injured 86. Other small explosive devices and grenades have been found in the city. On 7 June 2018, criminals placed a homemade explosive device inside Galerie Smart, a shopping centre in Tanjombato, Antananarivo. On 7 January 2021 an explosive device detonated in the Ampasanimalo district of Antananarivo, police are investigating. Don’t touch any suspect packages.

Demonstrations and Social Unrest

• India * GOV.UK * Various farmers unions are continuing their protest at Delhi’s borders following their march to Delhi on 26 and 27 November. Traffic into the city may be affected and cause delays for both private and public transportation and other disruptions. Protests may intensify at short notice especially around national days of importance. You should closely monitor local media reports and follow the instructions of local authorities.
• Lebanon * GOV.AU *Protests are taking place in Beirut, some of which have turned violent. Avoid protests and Beirut’s port area.
• United States * GOVT.NZ * United States: 2020 Presidential Elections. Political rallies or protests are anticipated in Washington DC and other state capitals in the lead up and on the day of the inauguration on 20 January 2021. A strong police and/or National Guard presence can be expected at any further protests. Police measures have, at times, included the use of rubber bullets and/or pepper spray to disperse crowds. Curfews have been enforced in many cities as a result of widespread protests and may continue to be introduced. The Mayor of Washington DC has introduced an Emergency Order in the city, effective until 3pm local time on 21 January 2021, under which curfews and other emergency measures may be implemented in Washington DC at any time. New Zealanders in the United States are advised to avoid areas where political rallies or protest activity may occur. We recommend monitoring local media to stay up to date with developments and following any instructions issued by the local authorities, including curfews. If you find yourself in an area of protest/political activity or civil unrest, you should leave the area if it is safe to do so or remain indoors until the situation improves.
• United States of America * GOV.AU * As previously advised, widespread protests and demonstrations are likely to continue in the weeks ahead. Avoid areas where protests and demonstrations are occurring due to the continuing potential for disorder and violence. Follow the instructions of local authorities and abide by any curfews and stay at home orders (see ‘Safety’). Monitor the media for information and updates.

Natural Disasters and Climate

• Argentina * ECHO Daily Flash of 19 January 2021 * Earthquake. (GDACS, media, USGS). An earthquake of 6.4 M at a depth of 20 km occurred in west-central Argentina on 19 January at 2.46 UTC. The epicentre was located approximately 37 km southwest of San Juan City and 110 km north of Mendoza City. USGS PAGER estimates that up to 1,000 people were exposed to very strong shaking and up to 651,000 people to strong shaking. A series of aftershocks with magnitude up to 5.3 M have been recorded in the area. According to media, there are no casualties but some damage and power outages have been reported in San Juan Province.
• Bolivia, Paraguay * ECHO Daily Flash of 19 January 2021 * Floods. (CNN Paraguay, FloodList, La Nacion Paraguay, Media Bolivia, Meterologia Paraguay, SENAMHI Bolivia). Floods triggered by heavy rainfall have been reported in several Departments of Bolivia and Paraguay, resulting in casualties. In Bolivia, one person died in Cochabamba Department, while about 13,000 people have been affected across four Departments, as reported by media. Several houses and road sections have been damaged and two breakwaters of Taquiña River have been destroyed due to river overflow. In Paraguay, extensive flooding has occurred in Conception City, leaving at least 4,000 residents affected. A number of individuals have been evacuated, as several neighbourhoods of Conception remain flooded. Red alerts for hydrological risk have been issued for Cochabamba, Tarija, Beni and La Paz Departments (Bolivia). Rainfall with thunderstorms are forecast over southern Bolivia and most of eastern Paraguay, including Conception, on 19-20 January.
• Croatia * GOV.AU *In December 2020, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck in the region of Petrinja. It caused extensive damage to buildings, infrastructure and essential services. Avoid damaged areas and follow the advice of local authorities. Aftershocks may occur for several months. (see ‘Climate and Natural Disasters’).
• Madagascar * GOV.UK * Tropical Storm Eloise is forecast to bring heavy rains to the north east of the country from Tuesday 19 January 2021. You should monitor the progress of approaching storms on the METEO Madagascar website and follow alerts and instructions from the local authorities. See Natural disasters.
• Madagascar, Mozambique * ECHO Daily Flash of 19 January 2021 * Tropical Cyclone ELOISE update. (GDACS, JTWC, Meteo Madagascar, MeteoFrance La Reunion, NOAA-CPC, UN OCHA). Tropical cyclone ELOISE is moving south-west over the Indian Ocean, approaching the north-eastern coast of Madagascar. On 18 January, its centre was located approximately 300 km north-east of Antalaha Commune (Sava Region), with maximum sustained wind of 93 km/h. ELOISE is forecast to make landfall over the Masoala Peninsula, in an area south of Antalaha, in the evening of 19 January, with maximum sustained wind up to 95 km/h (tropical storm). After crossing northern Madagascar, ELOISE could enter the Mozambique Channel on 21 January, and move towards Mozambique, strengthening. In Madagascar, national authorities, and humanitarian partners are coordinating preparedness activities. Red alerts for imminent danger have been issued for several districts in Sava, Sofia and Analanjirofo Regions (north-eastern Madagascar). Strong wind and heavy rainfall are forecast over northern and central Madagascar from 19 January.
• Mozambique * GOV.UK * Tropical Storm Eloise may bring hazardous sea and weather conditions to Central and Southern Mozambique from Saturday 23 January 2020. See Natural disasters.
• United Kingdom * ECHO Daily Flash of 19 January 2021 * Floods and flood warnings during the last 24 hours reported by national services. (European Flood Awareness System – EFAS). United Kingdom: warning level 2/3 for Eastern region.

Other

• Central America * ECHO Daily Flash of 19 January 2021 * Migrant caravan. (DG ECHO partners, media). On 16 January, around 7,000 Honduran – fleeing persecution, violence and poverty intensified by Hurricanes ETA and IOTA and COVID-19 pandemic – started a new caravan and moved to Guatemala. The caravan is the first in this year and has been initiated less than a week before United States President-elect Joe Biden, who promised a more human approach to migration, takes office. According to media, a violent response against migrants by the Guatemalan security forces has been witnessed in the border between Honduras and Guatemala, resulting in 11 migrants and two military staff wounded. Around 1,000 migrants were returned to Honduras while 500 (including 192 accompanied minors) were referred to the migration authorities. The protection cluster group made a statement calling for the respect of human rights protection and access to the asylum procedures, as well as the need to guarantee access to humanitarian assistance without discrimination. DG ECHO’s partners are providing assistance on the ground  and continue monitoring the situation. They also share concerns regarding the capacity of shelters in Guatemala city and Tecan Uman.
• Uganda * GOV.UK * A country-wide internet shut-down was implemented on the evening of Wednesday 13 January 2021 ahead of the Presidential and Parliamentary elections on 14 January 2021. Internet service was restored on Monday 18 January, but some users are still reporting disruption to social media sites (e.g. Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp).Further disruption to communications cannot be ruled out.

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.