Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)
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91. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware of current blockages of aid to locations in Sudan; his view on this; the work Ireland is carrying out with international partners to provide humanitarian assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56941/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Government remains deeply concerned by the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. Two years of conflict has resulted in the world’s worst humanitarian crisis with nearly 12 million people forcibly displaced. Over 20 million people in Sudan face crisis levels of hunger, including famine in many parts of the country, in what is a preventable crisis.

Since the outbreak of the war, Ireland has consistently emphasised the need to maintain humanitarian access. Both parties to the conflict are responsible for obstructing aid and conducting attacks on aid convoys, resulting in untold suffering for the civilian population. In June, as Minister of State for International Development and the Diaspora, I signed a joint statement by 30 donor countries condemning attacks against civilians and humanitarian workers in Sudan. While representing Ireland at the United Nations General Assembly, I signed an Australian led Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Workers, on behalf of Ireland.

Humanitarian agencies report better access in recent months with humanitarian food convoys accessing many areas. The World Food Programme are currently reaching over 4 million people a month. This is positive news but access to areas such as El Fasher remains extremely difficult. Ireland strongly supports the call by the UN Secretary General for the facilitation of safe, unhindered and sustained humanitarian access.

We are continuing to provide substantial humanitarian assistance to partners in Sudan. We recently announced a further package of €3 million bringing our commitment in 2025 to €14.3 million to support communities in Sudan and those displaced in neighbouring countries. This support to a range of international partners, Irish NGO’s and local organisations includes food, medical supplies, household supplies and other life-saving aid as well as programmes to tackle malnutrition and gender based violence.