An emergency is a serious, unexpected, and often dangerous situation requiring immediate action and poses a threat to the wellbeing of an individual.
Examples of emergency situations:
Examples of non-emergency situations:
For non-emergency situations: we understand that these situations may be difficult to deal with, but unless there is an immediate risk to your wellbeing, please contact the relevant team at Queen Mary: The Global Opportunities Team at goabroad@qmul.ac.uk, Advice and Counselling Services, your Go Abroad Coordinator in your academic department. Please contact your host institution where relevant.
Emergency Contacts at Queen Mary (contact the relevant emergency service in your area first):
Emergency contacts abroad
Country
Emergency number
Australia
000
Canada, USA
911
Europe
112
Japan
119 for Fire and Emergency Services
110 for Police
Singapore
995
New Zealand
111
Hong Kong
999
Korea
112 for Police
Insurance
If you have accessed or require emergency assistance abroad, you need to inform Queen Mary’s travel insurance provider (you should have registered for this) as soon as it is safe for you to do so. Ideally, you should inform AIG (Queen Mary’s travel insurance provider) using the helpline number/email address below before you make any arrangements, as they will be able to assist you on next steps and let you know what is covered by the insurer. Please keep your cover note and your policy number accessible at all times.
24/7 Emergency Medical and Security Assistance helpline: Tel: +44 (0) 1273 456 463.
To make a claim, you can ring the helpline number above, or email insurance@qmul.ac.uk . You should inform AIG (the Queen Mary travel insurer) as soon as an incident occurs, and claims cannot be made later than 4 weeks after the incident occurs.
For more information, please visit the travel insurance FAQs in the Insurance section under the relevant tab (either “Pre-departure (exchanges)” or “GO Summer!”) of our QMplus page. page.
If you have not registered for Queen Mary’s travel insurance, please alert your private travel insurance provider.
Widespread Emergency Overseas: e.g. Civil unrest, natural disaster, or terrorism
The Global Opportunities Team at Queen Mary stays up to date with Foreign and Commonwealth Office Travel alerts, so we are aware when major problems arise overseas. If a serious incident happens whilst you are abroad near your host institution, we will contact you to make sure you are safe. Please let us know you are safe or if you need assistance at the earliest opportunity. You should also ensure to contact your emergency contact person (family/friend) to let them know your whereabouts.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCDO), Embassy or Consulate of the country will be able to advise you on what to do if a situation arises – consult especially the “Safety and security” section of the FCDO’s guidance for your destination country.
In the event of civil unrest in your area make sure to avoid demonstrations and known areas of conflict.
If a natural disaster occurs in your host institution area, you should follow all guidance issued by the government of your host country, and your host institution. You should contact your national embassy for advice as soon as you can. You can find information about natural hazards that can be expected to happen in a country on the relevant countries travel advice pages.
Personal emergency
If you experience a personal emergency abroad e.g. a serious accident or injury please follow the guidance in the yellow chart above, ensuring that you contact the relevant emergency services in your area first, and keep your emergency contact and the Global Opportunities team at Queen Mary updated regarding your situation. You can find guidance on maintaining personal safety abroad here.
Please remember the Global Opportunities are here to support you during your placement abroad at goabroad@qmul.ac.uk. You also maintain access to Queen Mary’s Advice and Counselling Service whilst you are abroad, as well as the support services at your host institution.
Additional Tips:
Additional Resources from Queen Mary’s Advice and Counselling Service:
If you are in danger of harming yourself or others, please call the local emergency services in your area/ go to the emergency/accident services in your area. If you are not in immediate danger, while you are abroad you still have access to the following support services: