A catastrophic landslide has occurred in Sudan’s western Darfur region, resulting in the deaths of more than 1,000 people and destroying an entire village.
The Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A) reported that the disaster struck on Sunday, following days of heavy rainfall in the Marra Mountains area, where the village of Tarasin was “completely levelled to the ground”.
The group stated that initial information indicates the death of all village residents, estimated to be over 1,000 individuals, with only one survivor.
The SLM/A has appealed to the United Nations and international aid agencies for assistance in recovering the bodies of victims, including children.
Mohamed Vall, reporting from Khartoum, the affected area is inaccessible by car or any other means of land transport, making it challenging to retrieve the bodies and provide proper burials.
Vall described the dire conditions in the region, saying, “I’ve been there, and I’ve seen the destitution, the seclusion, the dire poverty of people there living hand to mouth, even though the land is fertile there, they have citrus plants there and abundant water but they have no relationship with civilisation and that makes farming very difficult.”
The landslide has further exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, which has been plagued by war for over three years. Famine has already been declared in parts of Darfur, and the country is facing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
The SLM/A has pledged to fight alongside the Sudanese military against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been battling the army for control of the region. The RSF has been attempting to consolidate power in the west and establish a rival government.
The international community has expressed concern over the escalating violence in Sudan, with the US, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and other countries urging the warring sides to halt fighting and allow aid into the famine-stricken areas.
The situation in Sudan remains dire, with millions of people displaced and in need of humanitarian assistance.
The landslide has exacerbated the existing humanitarian crisis in Darfur, which has been plagued by civil war and famine. The region has seen widespread displacement, with millions of people forced to flee their homes.
The Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A) has pledged to support the Sudanese army in its fight against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has further complicated the humanitarian situation.
The international community is working to provide assistance to those affected by the landslide. However, the delivery of aid is challenging due to the region’s inaccessibility and tense situation.
The SLM/A has appealed for urgent support to help recover bodies and provide necessary aid. Darfur’s governor, Minni Minnawi, has described the incident as a “humanitarian tragedy,” emphasizing the need for immediate action.
Recovery efforts are ongoing, with the SLM/A working to rescue those buried under debris. The exact number of casualties may never be known, but it’s clear that the disaster has had a catastrophic impact on the region.
The landslide has highlighted the vulnerability of the region to natural disasters, which are further exacerbated by the ongoing conflict.