Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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39. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to report on his engagements with his European counterparts regarding their efforts to bring an end to conflict and alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36256/24]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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40. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to report on the humanitarian aid and assistance Ireland has provided in support of alleviating the humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36257/24]

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 40 together.

The humanitarian situation in Sudan is devastating. 25.6 million people - over half the population of Sudan - face acute hunger. This includes more than 755,000 people already experiencing famine conditions. Sudan is now the world's largest hunger, protection and displacement crisis.

In April this year at the High Level Pledging Conference for the Sudan crisis, I announced Ireland's continued support. I pledged €12.3 million in humanitarian assistance in 2024, an increase of €2 million on our 2023 assistance to Sudan. Over €10.5 million has already been released in humanitarian aid to Sudan through our trusted partners, including Irish NGOs. Another €2.5 million is being provided in support of the neighbouring countries who host Sudanese refugees. In addition, Ireland provides humanitarian support to the people of Sudan through prepositioned funding to United Nations Agencies such as the World Food Programme, the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Red Cross.

I am deeply concerned by the disproportionate impact that this conflict has on women and girls. As part of the package of funding in 2024 Ireland provided a specific grant of €2 million to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for protection and support for services for gender based violence and reproductive health for women and girls in Sudan and neighbouring countries.

Since the outbreak of the war in April 2023, together with the EU we have consistently emphasised the need to protect civilians, maintain humanitarian access, stop the fighting and put civilians at the centre of Sudan’s political future. During his recent visit to the Horn of Africa the Tánaiste undertook to raise the crisis whenever possible internationally, in particular at the EU and at the United Nations.

Last year, Ireland championed the establishment of a new EU autonomous sanctions regime for Sudan. The first set of targeted sanctions were announced in January this year against six companies affiliated with both the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). In June the EU endorsed an additional package of measures against six individuals responsible for undermining peace and security in Sudan, including attacks against civilians.

The EU will continue to take action against persons or entities fueling the conflict.

Ireland has consistently prioritised support for accountability mechanisms at the Human Rights Council, including calling for the renewal of the mandate of the Independent International Fact-finding mission for Sudan.

We will continue to work with the EU and international partners to promote an end to the conflict, persuade the parties to come back to the negotiating table, permit humanitarian access and end attacks on civilians.