216. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline her views on reports of obstruction of aid convoys and targeting of civilians in Sudan, which are illegal under international law; the measures her Department are taking to provide humanitarian assistance to Sudan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42107/26]

Over three years of conflict have caused a humanitarian disaster that will have a lasting impact on the country and the wider region. The two main parties to the conflict have been responsible for obstructing aid and conducting attacks on aid convoys, deepening untold suffering for the civilian population. Given the already disproportionate impact of the conflict on civilians, we are concerned by the continued escalation of violence in the Kordofan and Blue Nile states, and the intensification of conflict in North Darfur.

Ireland has consistently emphasised the need to ensure unimpeded, safe and sustained humanitarian access. We have condemned the targeting of civilians by parties to the conflict, and called for the protection of civilians, including at meetings of the EU Foreign Affairs Council and the UN Human Rights Council. On 18 February, Minister McEntee, together with 31 other Ministers, signed a Joint Ministerial Statement on the Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Operations in Sudan. The Minister also joined a UN Human Rights Council Core Group statement, on 26 February, condemning the atrocities committed by the Rapid Support Forces in El Fasher and announcing the establishment of a coalition of likeminded states and regional institutions committed to working together to prevent further atrocities in Sudan.

I attended the third International Sudan Conference in Berlin on 15 April where I raised the need for humanitarian access to be guaranteed by all parties to the conflict. At the Conference, the EU and its Member States, including Ireland, pledged over €812 million in humanitarian assistance to support people in Sudan and to respond to the regional refugee crisis. Ireland is increasing humanitarian assistance to Sudan to at some €21 million this year.

We are maintaining our assistance to trusted partners including the UN, international organisations, Irish partner organisations and their local partners. Findings from a visit by Department officials to the Chadian-Sudanese border in January are informing our response in addressing the complex humanitarian needs of those affected. This includes a continued focus on providing assistance to vulnerable people who are hardest to reach, including women and girls, who are seriously affected by sexual and gender-based violence. We will maintain our humanitarian assistance to address the regional impact of the crisis, and the large numbers displaced to neighbouring countries. Through Ireland's Rapid Response Initiative we are supporting the delivery of urgently needed non-food supplies to Darfur and the deployment of a humanitarian worker to Sudan.

The Government continue to advocate for increased engagement on Sudan when we assume the Presidency of the EU on 1 July.