Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern today begins a four-day visit to Chad and Sudan before 350 Irish troops are deployed there next month.
The Minister will hold talks with the Sudanese government in Khartoum tomorrow where he will announce increased funding for the Darfur peace process.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern
Ireland will provide €500,000 to support the talks on the future of the region that are due to resume in Libya in early December.
On Thursday, Mr Ahern will meet Chadian leaders in the capital, N'Djamena, and will also be briefed by UN agencies and NGOs working there.
The Minister will travel to eastern Chad on Friday to see refugee camps that will be protected by the EU force involving Irish troops.
Mr Ahern said: "The current Darfur peace process being mediated by the UN and African Union is absolutely vital for the prospects of securing lasting peace and security in the region. Without a stable and peaceful environment the current humanitarian crisis will continue.
"Ireland has consistently been to the forefront in urging increased international attention and support to help resolve the long running tragedy of Darfur."
Irish troops will be part of an EU military operation that will shortly be deployed to eastern Chad and north-eastern Central African Republic under the command of Co Limerick native Lt General Pat Nash.