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Ahead of World Humanitarian Day on 19 August, Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, and Hadja Lahbib Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, issued the following statement.

The civil protection assistance complements the €2.1 million in emergency humanitarian funding announced by the EU on 12 August. EU humanitarian partners are providing health, water, sanitation, and hygiene assistance, as well as shelter, food, protection and cash support to affected communities.

To support Nigeria, Cameroon, the Central African Republic and Chad in addressing the ongoing cholera epidemic. According to the World Health Organization, more than 61,000 cholera cases were reported in the African Region in the first 5 months of 2026.

The EU has deployed assistance to Belgium and Spain following their activation of the EU civil protection mechanism (UCPM), as wildfires continue to affect several parts of Europe.

EU humanitarian partners will, thanks to the new funding, provide life-saving assistance for people affected by conflict, displacement and disasters, including recent flash floods in several locations across the country.

The European Commission is reacting on the immediate needs of communities in Columbia and is providing €2.1 million in life-saving assistance. Several provinces and cities in the central and western part of the country have been affected by a devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake.

Today, Hadja Lahbib is visiting Gironde, one of the areas in France most affected by raging wildfires, to express the European Union's solidarity, meeting with French authorities and first responders to thank them for their tireless efforts and witness first-hand the ongoing emergency response.

The Convention has had a profound global impact in safeguarding millions of lives, guiding international action, and upholding the fundamental principle that people fleeing persecution must be treated with dignity and protected in accordance with international law.

In France, the EU has deployed 7 planes and 4 helicopters from Czechia, Croatia, Germany, Portugal, Slovakia, Sweden, and Türkiye. In Spain, the EU has mobilised 6 planes from Greece, Italy and Türkiye, and deployed 134 personnel and 41 vehicles from Portugal.

The aid will prioritise healthcare, including procuring medicines and supporting primary and maternal healthcare facilities; emergency food assistance and nutrition treatment for children and mothers.

Today's announcement add to the €5 million life-saving assistance already approved at the end of June, and to the €52 million allocated at the beginning of the year to respond to the humanitarian consequences of the socio-economic crisis in Venezuela.

As Europe is fighting wildfires in several Member States, the Commission is swiftly mobilising assistance via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM).

In response to the increasing humanitarian needs caused by the recent earthquakes in Venezuela, the European Union is releasing €5 million in humanitarian aid to provide immediate help to the most affected communities. It will focus on providing shelter and healthcare to those affected.

Following the strong earthquakes that have caused numerous casualties in Venezuela, the European Commission is mobilising the deployment of rescue teams and other emergency assistance to the country: Czechia, Spain, Italy, France, Luxembourg, Germany, Portugal and the Netherlands send assistance.

The European Union conveys its condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims of the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela. At this difficult moment, the EU expresses its solidarity with the people of Venezuela and with all those engaged in rescue and relief operations.

On World Refugee Day, we will recognise the strength and resilience of the more than 117 million people displaced globally. Forced from their homes by conflict, persecution, violence and human rights violations.

On World Refugee Day, we will recognise the strength and resilience of the more than 117 million people displaced globally. Forced from their homes by conflict, persecution, violence and human rights violations.

Commissioner for crisis management Hadja Lahbib has announced €16.5 million in additional EU support to stop the Ebola outbreak.

777 firefighters from 14 European countries will be strategically pre-positioned in high-risk areas across Cyprus, Greece, Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal. This is the highest level of participation since the pre-positioning programme's launch in 2022.

This cooperation forms part of a broader EU financial support package to address the Ebola crisis in both countries. It brings together the European Commission’s humanitarian and health emergency capacities to support both immediate response efforts and preparedness measures.