Following the news over the weekend of wildfires and the continued heatwave across southern Europe, I have been contacted by constituents worried about how this might affect them or their families.

If you are a British national affected by wildfires, please follow the guidance from the emergency services. Call the Greek Emergency Services on 112 if you are in immediate danger.

The Greek government has established a Crisis Management Unit to respond to the situation in Rhodes. They can be contacted on:

• +30 210 368 1730
• +30 210 368 1259
• +30 210 368 1350

In the first instance, contact your airline or travel operator who can assist you with return travel to the UK.

For 24/7 British consular assistance, call +44 20 7008 5000.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has also published advice on how Travel Insurance can support you if you are impacted by these events. 

The information can be found here which also includes advice on some common questions you may have.

If you are worried, the ABI offer the following advice:

• Contact your tour operator or airline for advice and information.
• Always follow local health advice, such as dealing with heatwaves. Your travel insurance will apply in the usual way if you need emergency medical treatment due to extreme weather.
• If planning on travelling, always keep up to date with and follow the latest foreign travel advice on GOV.UK from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), especially as travelling against it is likely to invalidate your travel insurance.
• Check the scope of cover under your travel insurance policy. In some circumstances you may be covered for disruption caused by wildfires or extreme weather, or if you are injured or fall ill due to a wildfire, or heatwave.

If there is anything that I can do to support you and you live in Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, please get in touch with me by emailing luke.pollard.mp@parliament.uk or calling 01752 717255