The number that works where you are

Worth knowing before you need it, because nobody looks this up while it is happening.

One warning first, because it is often got wrong. You may have read that 112 works everywhere. It does not. The standard behind that claim only requires your handset to recognise the digits. It requires no network anywhere to route the call. In the United States and Canada it does not get you help, and the body that runs 911 says plainly that it should not be used to seek help in an emergency there.

North America. 911.

Britain and Ireland. 999. And this one is worth remembering: if you cannot speak safely, call 999, wait for the operator, then press 55. That is a real system, it tells them you need help and cannot talk, and it is the only silent route that works. Staying silent on its own will not bring anyone.

Europe and Australia. 112 across the European Union, where routing it is a legal duty. Germany also has 110 for police, France 17. Australia is 000, and 112 from a mobile.

South and Southeast Asia. India 112. Bangladesh 999. Malaysia 999. Pakistan 15 for police, and 1122 for rescue in Punjab. Indonesia 110 for police, since 112 there only reaches some cities.

Middle East and North Africa. Turkey 112. Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar 999. Kuwait 112. Oman 9999. Egypt 122 for police and 123 for an ambulance. Algeria 17. Morocco 19 from a landline and 190 from a mobile. Iraq 104. Iran 110.

Elsewhere. Nigeria 112. Uzbekistan 112. Russia 112. South Africa 10111. Afghanistan 119. Sudan 999 and Yemen 199, in both of which the network and the response are not dependable, which is a reason to have a second plan rather than a reason to have none.