When emergencies occur outside of London, whether across the UK or internationally, many Londoners want to know how they can help or where to find support. Drawing on past experience, the London Communities Emergencies Partnership (LCEP) has created this guide to help you support your communities, access the resources you need, and ensure your generosity has the greatest impact.
A wide range of resources are available to assist in different types of emergencies. Please visit our resource page for guidance on areas such as mental health, community cohesion and safety, and emergency response support.
For each disaster listed below, you’ll find links to trusted organisations and funds that you and your community can use to direct your support effectively.
Recent international disasters
Cases of invasive meningococcal disease (meningitis) have been notified in Kent, including two casualties. Meningitis is a serious condition where the protective layers (meninges) around the brain and spinal cord become inflamed.
Children and young adults are particularly at risk, settings such as universities can cause the disease to spread quickly. Antibiotic treatment is being rolled out to control the outbreak, and a targeted vaccination programme is also being introduced for longer term protection.
For more information on the disease and how to prevent it, please see the resources below.
Resources
What’s happened:
Widespread attacks across the Middle East this week have caused severe destruction, with explosions reported for days in Iran, Israel, and several neighbouring countries, including Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The confirmed death toll includes at least 700 people, along with extensive damage to buildings, infrastructure, and civilian areas across the region.
What are we doing about it:
With the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, we know that Londoners will be deeply impacted, especially those who are concerned about friends and family. At LCEP we are maintaining monitoring, sharing intel, and supporting partners to stay coordinated.
Resources to support you and your community:
- British Red Cross are sharing updates of their response, including links to useful websites such as travel advice here.
- Guidance and statement for charities on the evolving situation from the Charity Commission here
- We also have a list of mental health resources available to Londoners here.
If you’re hearing concerns from your community, please let us know, especially around safety, reactions, and any resources we can help signpost or raise with statutory colleagues: info@lcep.london
In January 2026, U.S. targeted attacks on Venezuela caused over 40 fatalities and ended with the Venezuelan President’s capture. These events have heightened political uncertainty, halted function of their local supply chains, and impacted many groups, including Venezuela’s civilians locally and their communities worldwide.
LCEP supports our Latin American communities affected by this event. We are working with the GLA, London Boroughs Faiths Network and Protection Approaches to ensure consistent support across Latin American groups in London. As our partners share updated guidance, we will continue to post specific resources and information here to keep you informed.
- The Coalition of Latin Americans in the UK have a useful directory of organisations who support Latin Americans in the UK: Members – CLAUK
- Voces Amigas de Esperanza (VOADES) have a helpline for Latin Americans/Spanish- and Portuguese-speakers, their details are as follows:
- Phone: 020 7733 0471 and 079 3222 5355
- Email: info@voades.org.uk
En enero de 2026, los ataques selectivos de Estados Unidos contra Venezuela causaron más de 40 muertes y culminaron con la captura del presidente venezolano. Estos eventos han aumentado la incertidumbre política, interrumpido el funcionamiento de las cadenas de suministro locales y afectado a numerosos grupos, incluyendo a la población civil venezolana local y a sus comunidades en el mundo.
La Asociación de Emergencias de las Comunidades de Londres (LCEP por sus siglas en inglés) apoya a nuestras comunidades latinoamericanas afectadas por este evento. Trabajamos con el ayuntamiento de Londres (GLA por sus siglas en inglés), London Boroughs Faiths Network (la Red de Fe de los Distritos de Londres) y Protection Approaches para garantizar un apoyo constante a los grupos latinoamericanos en Londres. A medida que nuestros colaboradores compartan más información s, los publicaremos en esta página.
- La Coalición de Latinoamericanos en el Reino Unido cuenta con un directorio útil de organizaciones que apoyan a los latinoamericanos en el Reino Unido: Miembros – CLAUK: Members – CLAUK
- Voces Amigas de Esperanza (VOADES Voades United Kingdom) cuenta con una línea de ayuda para latinoamericanos/hablantes de español y portugués. Sus datos son los siguientes:
- Teléfono: 020 7733 0471 y 079 3222 5355
- Correo electrónico: info@voades.org.uk
Para obtener apoyo general, visite nuestra página que proporciona información sobre áreas como salud mental, cohesión y seguridad comunitaria, y apoyo en emergencias: LCEP: Resource Hub – London Plus
We are deeply saddened by the tragic news that sixteen people have lost their lives following a terrorist attack during a Jewish Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach in Sydney, on 14th December.
Our thoughts are with the families, friends, and communities affected. At a time meant for joy and light, this devastating act of violence is felt across the world.
Police forces in England and Scotland have confirmed they are working closely with event organisers to ensure the safety of Hanukkah celebrations.
LCEP is working with the London Boroughs Faiths Network and co-chairs London Plus and VCSEP to support communities.
- Mental health support for the Jewish Community: Jami UK
- Our response to the antisemitic terrorist attack on Bondi Beach – Victim Support
In November 2025, there was a tragic fire at Wang Fuk Court in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong. If Hong Kongers who are currently living in London are feeling emotionally affected by this incident The following organisations may be able to provide mental health and wellbeing support:
- Thrive LDN is a citywide public mental health partnership for all Londoners. They have online resources for Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of Hongkongers in London. You can also find attached in this email their free resources and training offers.
- Hong Kong Counsellors Hub CIC bring together experienced counsellors and social workers to support individuals and families in the Hong Kong community, they offer Cantonese Counselling services.
- SHENET Hongkonger Women Network has a Cantonese hotline (Monday-Friday, 11am-2pm, 8pm-10pm; Saturday, 11am-2pm) for Hongkonger women.
- Hong Kong Well offers counselling in Cantonese and English for young people.
- Open Up: An online text service from Hong Kong that offers emotional support. (Please note this service is based in Hong Kong).
- Cyber Youth: A text-based counselling and support service for young people, provided by St James’ Settlement.
- Southeast and East Asian Centre (SEEAC) provides mental health support, such as one-on-one counselling and peer-group activities, to Southeast and East Asian communities in the UK. Contact SEEAC via info@seeac.org.uk if you need assistance. Additionally, SEEAC has an online directory of cultural-specific/ language-specific mental health service providers for Southeast and East Asian communities in the UK. The listed service providers include peer support groups, mutual aid groups, community groups, and more specialist/professional mental health support, such as therapists.
- Sesame Organisation offers mental health services for East and Southeast Asian (EASEA) I the UK. They are organising support group support sessions and here are the sign-up sheets.
In early November, Typhoon Fung Wong hit the Philippines which affected nearly 1 million people, causing hundreds to lose their lives. With over 200,000 Filipinos living and working in the UK, the effects of such a huge disaster are being felt here in our communities.
- Contact Kanlungan, a UK charity consisting of several Filipino and other Southeast and East Asian community groups, to learn more about how you can help: https://www.kanlungan.org.uk/
- Southeast and East Asian Centre (SEEAC) provides mental health support, such as one-on-one counselling and peer-group activities, to Southeast and East Asian communities in the UK. Contact SEEAC via info@seeac.org.uk if you need assistance. Additionally, SEEAC has an online directory of cultural-specific/ language-specific mental health service providers for Southeast and East Asian communities in the UK. The listed service providers include peer support groups, mutual aid groups, community groups, and more specialist/professional mental health support, such as therapists.
- Sesame Organisation offers mental health services for East and Southeast Asian (EASEA) I the UK. They are organising support group support sessions and here are the sign-up sheets.
On 1st November, Hurricane Melissa devastated parts of the Caribbean. One of the most powerful ever recorded, it has left communities in urgent need of support. London’s Caribbean communities are coping with the impact on family and friends, and some have recently returned home to the city.
Additional resources and opportunities have also been shared by our partner, London Boroughs Faiths Network, in their recent LinkedIn posts.
If you’d like to give financially, here are two trusted options:
Your contribution will help provide urgent supplies and support recovery efforts.
We are deeply saddened by the tragic attack at Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester on 2nd October. Our thoughts are with everyone affected, and with the wider community during this incredibly difficult time.
At LCEP we stand with our Jewish friends, neighbours, and colleagues and to uphold the values of resilience, compassion, and solidarity that define London.
We’re seeing incredible work from partners across sectors and faiths, responding with compassion, practical support, and solidarity. These efforts remind us of the power of bridge-building and the importance of unity in times of crisis.
Please note: In the case of live emergencies this list will not be complete and will be updated regularly.
This information has been collated by the team at LCEP, London Plus, and our partners. Whilst we have systems in place to ensure that as much as possible, we are sharing trusted and legitimate organisations, they have not been officially verified or approved by ourselves. This document is for signposting and information only.
We cannot list every emergency that may occur outside London. This page is focused on major international disasters and other significant incidents. We have a monitoring process in place to identify when updates are needed. If you are looking for or offering support and cannot find the incident referenced here, please get in touch with us directly: info@lcep.london
