Former president Mary Robinson has called for action on the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, describing the situation there as "appalling".
Millions of civilians have been driven from their homes after more than a year of civil war in the country, which broke out in April 2023.
Tens of thousands of people have died in the conflict, which has triggered one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.
The UN has said eight million civilians have been displaced, and another two million people have fled to neighbouring countries.
More than 25 million people - upwards of half the country's population - face acute food shortages.
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Speaking at event organised by Dóchas, the association of Non-Governmental Development Agencies, Ms Robinson said "what is happening in Sudan is appalling. And what is even more appalling is the lack of world attention, and we almost say indifference".
Noting the UN General Assembly and Summit of the Future taking place in New York this month, she said: "Ireland has a deserved reputation for addressing global hunger."
"Our voice needs to be heard, and it needs to be heard at the highest level in New York later this month."
Dóchas has said there are 26 million people at risk because of devastation and hunger caused by the conflict.
Nine million children are food insecure and over 700,000 children under five years of age are at risk of dying from starvation
Goal Chief Executive Siobhán Walsh described what is happening in Sudan as "horrifying".
"A political solution is needed to end this conflict, and I will say that we all need to do more," she said.
Concern Worldwide Chief Executive David Regan said that UN-led efforts to distribute supplies have been insufficient.
"There are eight million displaced in Sudan, the vast majority of displaced people are women and children.
"The scale is truly shocking. Famine means that children are already dying in large numbers.
"Concerned teams in Darfur and Cordova report a rapid deterioration of children presenting at health facilities."
Trócaire Chief Executive Caoimhe de Barra called on the Irish Government to use its voice to make those armed groups who are blocking aid deliveries accountable/
"Blocking humanitarian access is a clear breach of international humanitarian law. There is no way that this shouldn't be happening," she said.
"Ireland needs to push and continue to push hard and raise its voice at the UN General Assembly, at the European Union, at all international for a for full and unimpeded humanitarian access and an end also to the attacks on those who are providing services to people, because aid workers are also amongst the most vulnerable, and those aid workers in The main are local people from their own communities, first responders coming to the aid of the people in their own communities."
Read more:
Abuses by both sides in Sudan conflict may be war crimes - UN
In response to a query from RTÉ News regarding aid to Sudan, a spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs said Ireland has provided more than €10 million since the start of this year to humanitarian assistance.
The department said that it provided a further €2.1 million in assistance specifically targeting Sudanese refugees in neighbouring countries.
It said the funding to Sudan this year "included €2 million to UNFPA to provide women and girls in Sudan and neighbouring countries with life-saving reproductive health and protection services".
"Ireland is deeply concerned by the disproportionate impact that this conflict has on women and girls," it said.
"Total humanitarian assistance in 2024 to date is €12.3 million an increase of at least €2 million on 2023," it added.
The statement said that Ireland also contributes to aid efforts in Sudan by contributing to the core funding of United Nations agencies, including the Central Emergency Response Fund of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the UN Refugee Agency and the World Food Programme.
On calls for diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, the department said: "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.
"Tomorrow Ireland will deliver our national statement at the Human Rights Council (HRC) on the occasion of the presentation of the report on the independent international fact-finding mission for Sudan.
"We have consistently prioritised support for accountability mechanisms at HRC."
Additional reporting Colman O'Sullivan
