Lorraine Williamson
Would you know who to contact if a fire or flood forced you to leave your home? What if you became the victim of a crime, needed urgent help for a family member or suddenly faced financial difficulties? For many international residents in Spain, understanding which authorities and organisations can help is not always straightforward.
These questions will be addressed at the United Nationalities of Marbella Summit on Tuesday 3 November 2026. The free community event will bring together emergency services, local authorities and charities to help residents understand the support available when something goes wrong.
Bringing emergency services and residents together
This year’s summit, held at Hard Rock Hotel Marbella in Nueva Andalucía, will focus on the theme Emergency and Safety in Our City. It aims to give international residents direct access to the organisations responsible for public safety, emergency response and community support.
Living in another country can present additional difficulties during an emergency, particularly when residents are unfamiliar with local procedures or face language barriers. Knowing which police force to contact, how evacuation procedures work or where to find social assistance can make an important difference when urgent decisions are needed.
The event provides an opportunity to ask questions, gather practical information and meet representatives of organisations that residents might otherwise encounter only during a crisis.
Police, firefighters and community organisations taking part
Representatives of the Policía Local, Policía Nacional and Guardia Civil are expected to participate, alongside Marbella’s fire and rescue service, Civil Protection and the British Vice Consul. Local authorities, charities and other community organisations will also be represented.
The programme will address a broad range of situations, including evacuation procedures during fires and floods, reporting crime, improving home security and accessing support during personal or financial difficulties. Information about domestic abuse and the services available to victims will also form part of the discussions.
Rather than concentrating entirely on formal presentations, the event will include information stands where visitors can speak directly to participating organisations. This will allow residents to raise individual concerns and gain a clearer understanding of the responsibilities of different public services.
Strengthening Marbella’s international community
The United Nationalities of Marbella Summit was founded by Nicole King to encourage closer relationships between international residents, public authorities, businesses and community organisations. The initiative reflects Marbella’s diverse population and the importance of ensuring that people from different nationalities can access reliable information about local services.
This year’s emphasis on emergency preparedness follows a series of events that have highlighted how quickly circumstances can change, from severe weather and flooding to personal emergencies. Although emergency services respond when incidents occur, understanding available resources beforehand can help residents make more informed decisions.
The summit is organised by volunteers in collaboration with Marbella’s Foreigners Department. Beyond providing practical information, the organisers hope to encourage stronger connections between residents and the organisations working to support them.
Supporting women and families affected by domestic violence
The event will also recognise the 20th anniversary of Soroptimist International Costa del Sol, which works to improve opportunities and support for women and girls. A fundraising element has been incorporated into the afternoon programme, with proceeds helping a local initiative supporting families affected by domestic abuse.
Following the free morning session, a networking lunch will raise funds for Soroptimist’s Safe Home 1 project, which provides emergency accommodation for women and families escaping domestic violence. The buffet lunch costs €45 per person, with €10 from every booking donated to the project.
The lunch provides an additional opportunity for residents, public service representatives and community organisations to meet and build relationships. Unlike the morning event, advance booking is required.
How to attend the United Nationalities of Marbella Summit
The summit takes place on Tuesday 3 November 2026 at Hard Rock Hotel Marbella, Nueva Andalucía. The free public session runs from 10.00 am until 1.00 pm, with talks by participating officials scheduled between 11.00 am and 12 noon.
There is no need to register for the morning session. Those wishing to attend the networking lunch, which runs from 1.30 pm until 3.00 pm, can reserve a place by emailing nicole@nicoleking.es and quoting Lunch UMNMS2026.
Further information is available through United Nationalities of Marbella.
For international residents, the summit offers an opportunity to become familiar with the services and organisations that may one day prove essential. Knowing where to turn before an emergency happens can make a difficult situation easier to navigate.