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PFAS, or 'forever chemicals', are commonly used to make textiles and other materials resistant to water and fire. However, because they persist in the environment and build up in living organisms, they pose growing risks to human health and ecosystems.

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.

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

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 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.

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.

The economic sector with the largest increase in greenhouse gas emissions was electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply (+4.8%), while households (-1.3%), manufacturing and transportation and storage (both -0.6%) recorded the biggest decreases.

On 14 August 2026, the European Commission published a series of ten guidance documents to help non-EU operators with the implementation of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) during its definitive period. 

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.