214. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps Ireland is currently taking to support the humanitarian crisis in Sudan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44916/26]

As a result of over three years of conflict in Sudan, more than 33 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, and almost 12 million people have been forcibly displaced from their homes. Given the already massive impact of the conflict on civilians, we are particularly concerned by the continued escalation of violence in the Kordofan and Blue Nile states, and the intensification of conflict in North Darfur.

Ireland has provided substantial humanitarian assistance in response to the crisis in Sudan. In April, I attended the third International Sudan Conference in Berlin where I raised the need for humanitarian access to be guaranteed by all parties to the conflict. At this 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 significantly increasing our humanitarian assistance to Sudan this year.

We are providing assistance to trusted partners including the UN, other international organisations, Irish organisations, and their local partners. Informed by the findings of a visit by officials to the Chadian-Sudanese border earlier this year, our assistance in 2026 will include dedicated funding to support people in need in hard to reach areas including a continued focus on women and girls affected by and at risk of sexual and gender-based violence. We will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to address the regional impact of the crisis, and to support 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.

In parallel with our humanitarian support, 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. We will continue to advocate for increased engagement on Sudan when we assume the Presidency of the EU on 1 July.