Guidance

Exceptional Assistance Measures for British nationals affected by terrorist incidents abroad

Exceptional Assistance Measures (EAM) provide additional practical support to British nationals affected by terrorist attacks overseas, and their families

• From: Foreign & Commonwealth Office and Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
• Published: 9 December 2016
• Last updated: 30 December 2016 — See all updates

If you’re a British national who has been affected by a terrorist attack and need help, contact the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and check FCDO Travel Advice. In addition to regular assistance, we may also be able to provide you with assistance under EAM guidelines.

What Exceptional Assistance Measures provide

EAM provides additional practical support to British nationals who are the victim of terrorist attacks overseas, and their families, which may go beyond the usual help we aim to provide. This additional help can include medical evacuation, payment of immediate medical expenses and repatriation.

EAM are only activated when a terrorist attack has occurred, and even then only in exceptional circumstances, and on a case-by-case basis.

EAM only cover incidents overseas that are deemed to be acts of terrorism by the UK Government. They do not replace the need for comprehensive travel insurance.

Key elements of Exceptional Assistance Measures

• The measures can only be activated as a last resort, where financial or practical assistance is not available through other means, ie. from the government of the country where the incident took place, insurance providers or other agencies and organisations, and in a situation we deem to be terrorist in nature

• Assistance, under these measures, will not be made available to those who have travelled to a country or region for which the FCDO had advised against all travel

• The measures do not cover medical care in the UK or long term care in relation to conditions relating to the effects of the terrorist incident

• These measures will be activated on a case-by-case basis by Ministerial decision

Other help available

You may also be eligible for assistance from other organisations:

British Red Cross

The British Red Cross offers a Relief Fund for UK Victims of Terrorism Abroad which gives immediate financial help of £3,000 to people who have been seriously injured or bereaved by terrorist instances overseas. They also have a dedicated message service where people can leave questions and details on 0800 0725415.

Victims of Terrorism Overseas Compensation Scheme

The Victims of Terrorism Overseas Compensation Scheme is administered by the Ministry of Justice and designed to provider longer term financial support to victims of terrorism to cover loss of earnings, compensation and expenses.

To claim, send the relevant application form to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority:

Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority
Special Payments Team
PO Box 26996
Glasgow
G2 9ER

There is helpline available for claimants:

0300 003 3601 (Special Payments Team Helpline)
Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm

The FCDO does not administer these schemes and are unable to comment on an individual’s eligibility for funds.

Further information about crises abroad

• What to do if you’re affected by a crisis overseas
• How to reduce your risk from terrorism abroad

Before you travel, you should check travel advice for the countries you are travelling to and the FCDO’s Travel Aware advice.

You can read the most recent Written Ministerial Statement on Exceptional Assistance Measures, released on 10 December 2015.

Published 9 December 2016
Last updated 30 December 2016 + show all updates

1. 30 December 2016

   added link to "Support if you're affected by a crisis abroad" page

2. 9 December 2016

   First published.