A last-minute effort to avert an open-ended public servants’ strike failed on 17 August 2010, and the work stoppage began as scheduled on 18 August. Organizers expect more than 1 million people to participate in the work stoppage, which closed schools and limited services at hospitals and various public agencies. Minor clashes were reported during several corresponding protests, and there are also isolated reports that in some locations strike participants used intimidation against colleagues who intended to work. The workers are demanding an 8.6 percent pay raise and a 1,000-rand housing allowance, but so far the government has only offered a 7 percent wage increase and a 700-rand allowance.
Additional strikes are possible in the upcoming weeks. If your mission team is scheduled to visit S. Africa then we recommend contacting your airline, mission organization and local transportions and determine what affects the strikes might impose on your trip. If you are concerned about possible delays and unexpected additional travel expenses as a result, then contact us for a Roundtrip or Trip Protector travel insurance quote. Call Insurance Services of America at 800.647.4589 for direct assistance.
American Citizens are advised to avoid travel to the northern Indian city of Leh and the surrounding mountainous area of Ladakh, which are recovering from severe damage caused by extensive flash flooding and landslides over the weekend. News reports indicate that over 100 persons have died in the incident with hundreds more still missing. Many buildings were destroyed and telephone and cell phone communication links were badly damaged. Roads into and out of Ladakh remain blocked by landslides. The Government of India is working to clear roads, repair damage, and assist those stranded by the flooding.
At this time, the U.S. Embassy has received no reports of any U.S. citizen casualties. We are currently working with Indian authorities in the area to help locate and evacuate American citizens. American citizens are strongly encouraged to delay unnecessary travel to the area.
Evacuations
American citizens in Leh who wish to leave are encouraged to contact local airlines for information on outgoing flights. Airlines have increased their flights out of Leh airport to between 6 and 9 flights per day. However, uncertain weather conditions could cause delays. If you are trying to reach a friend or family member in the area, please be aware that communication systems were badly damaged during the flood. It is difficult for people in Leh to send or receive phone calls or emails.
Altegrity Risk International reports the death toll from a bomb attack at Zamboanga City airport in the southern Philippines reached two on August 6th, a day after a bomber detonated an explosive, killing himself and injuring 24 others, reports indicated. Among those injured was the governor of Sulu province, Sakur Tan, who may have been the target of an assassination attempt, as well as a British national. It remains unclear if the attacker was a suicide bomber or the bomb prematurely detonated. Tan has led aggressive campaigns against the militant Islamic separatist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) terror organization as governor. Tan, however, believes that political rivals with links to “terrorist” elements attempted to assassinate him with the bombing attempt.
According to Altegrity Risk International, a thick blanket of smog that has covered Moscow worsened on August 6th as peat fires continue to burn outside the city. The smog, which appeared to have been easing, worsened and has disrupted air traffic at the capital’s two international airports - Domodevovo and Vnukovo. Planes were able to take off normally but incoming flights were diverted to other Moscow airports, as visibility was reduced to 300m at Vnukovo and 400m at Domodevovo.
The concentration of toxic particles in the air is much higher than normal and can be particularly harmful to toddlers and the elderly, medical experts say. Some experts say the polluted air is as dangerous as smoking several packs of cigarettes a day, and many Russians are wearing gauze masks when traveling outdoors. Seven regions remain under a state of emergency, with the Nizhny Novgorod, Ryazan and Voronezh regions reported to be the worst hit. Forecasters expect the area’s high temperatures to last for several more days.
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Altegrity Risk International
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Problems with implementing a new staff scheduling system caused crew members shortages for Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes airlines on August 2nd, and Brazilian aviation officials reported numerous delays and cancellations. There were at least 373 delays and 90 cancellations on August 2nd and 76 delays and 18 cancellations early on August 3rd. Rio de Janeiro’s Galeao International Airport, Sao Paulo’s Congonhas Airport, and Brasilia’s Kubitschek International Airport were the most affected.
Authorities say the flight schedule should normalize in the next few days. However, Gol pilots and crew members plan to stage a 24-hour strike on August 13th to demand wage increases and improved working conditions and additional disruptions should be expected.
Officials launched a yellow fever vaccination campaign in Abidjan and two other major cities in Ivory Coast after an outbreak of the disease killed two people and infected nine others in recent weeks, reports indicated on August 2nd. Dengue fever, meanwhile, killed one person and infected 10 others, with no vaccine available for the mosquito-borne disease.
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U.S. Embassy Managua issued the following Warden Message on July 29:
This message is being issued to advise American citizens of possible disruptions related to the celebration of the Festival of Santo Domingo, a Catholic tradition celebrating the patron Saint of Managua, which takes place August 1 – 10 in Managua. The principal activities during this ten-day event will be a procession and horse parade on the first and last day of the festival: August 1 and 10.
The U.S. Embassy has encouraged its employees to avoid using the streets of Managua’s Santo Domingo neighborhood from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM on August 1 and 10. In previous years, large crowds have remained in the Santo Domingo neighborhood, particularly in the vicinity of the Iglesia Las Sierritas, throughout the night of these events, continuing their activities into the early morning. Heavy alcohol consumption is expected. Traffic jams and other disturbances around Managua can also be expected. American citizens should be aware of the possible presence of youth gangs who specialize in pick-pocketing and other crimes of opportunity.
South African public sector workers declared to the government their willingness to go on strike in seven days if wage demands are not met, reports stated on July 29th. Transport and power supply worker unions secured pay rises after threatening to strike during the World Cup soccer tournament. The coalition of unions represents most government employees, including police, doctors, nurses, teachers and office workers, which totals nearly 900,000 people.
It was reported on July 26th that two new cases of malaria infection were registered in the Nooken district of Jalal-Abad oblast. The Ministry of Health provided the information to news outlets after receiving information on the confirmed cases from the Department for State Sanitary and Epidemiological Supervision. In 2009, four cases of malaria were registered, three in Batken oblast and one in Jalal-Abad oblast.
Copyright © 2010, Altegrity Risk International, Inc.
If you are traveling to the Kyrgyz region, then we highly recommend contacting a travel medical clinic for advice. We also advise purchasing travel health insurance in case you become ill and need to be medically evacuated in an emergency. Get an Atlas Travel Medical Insurance Quote or feel free to call Missionary Health at 800.647.4589 for live assistance.
It was reported on July 21st that warm temperatures are allowing the malaria mosquito to survive in highland areas of Kenya, where the colder climate and thinner air have previously served as natural protection against the mosquito. Malaria, which already kills one million Africans per year, is thus rising in Kenya, putting pressure on hospitals and public infrastructure to provide adequate help for infected people.