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The Red Cross also has a relief fund for UK victims of terrorism abroad. The fund can make an immediate payment of £3,000 to people who have been bereaved or seriously injured.
More than 100 people have been killed, including at least one Briton, after gunmen opened fire in hotels and high-profile locations across the Indian city of Mumbai, on 26 November. The attackers were reported to be seeking out British and US passport holders and the Foreign Office said seven Britons were injured.
Psychosocial support
Briony Thomas, British Red Cross UK services adviser, and Neil Rees, clinical psychologist at the University of East London, who volunteers for the Red Cross, are travelling as part of a Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) rapid deployment team. The pair will assess the needs of those affected and offer any practical or emotional help required, including arranging travel home and local accommodation.
Vanessa Spiller, head of British Red Cross emergency response, said: "Britons caught up in the attacks are likely to need help, as are their relatives. The team will be on hand to respond to any requests to assist people through this extremely difficult time. We’re working with the Foreign Office to ensure people receive the support they need."
The Red Cross delegates are going to India at the request of the FCO, which is responsible for providing consular assistance to Britons overseas. The British Red Cross has trained volunteers on standby to offer practical help and emotional support to people affected by tragedies overseas.
Help for those affected
In previous deployments, the organisation has sent support staff to assist Britons following the Thai air disaster in Phuket in September last year and also to Brazzaville, Congo, to assist with the evacuation of British nationals in March 2007.
If you are worried about friends or relatives who are UK nationals and may be affected, you can call the FCO on 020 7008 0000 or visit the FCO website for further information.
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