Post by : Rameen Ariff

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A massive landslide has struck Sudan’s western Darfur region, killing more than 1,000 people and leaving only one survivor, according to the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM). The disaster hit the small mountain village of Tarasin on Sunday, after days of heavy rain caused the soil and rocks to collapse, burying the entire community under debris.

The SLM, a rebel group that controls parts of Sudan’s tallest mountains, described the landslide as “massive and devastating”. They said the landslide completely destroyed the village and damaged nearby farmland, which is known for citrus cultivation. In their statement, they called for urgent help from the United Nations and other aid organizations to recover bodies and assist the survivors.

“Initial information indicates the death of all village residents, estimated to be more than one thousand individuals, with only one survivor,” the SLM said.

The Humanitarian Toll

Sudan is already facing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. The country has been engulfed in a civil war since April 2023, with fighting between the army led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) under Mohamed Hamdan Daglo.

The war has killed tens of thousands of people and forced millions to flee their homes. About 10 million people are internally displaced within Sudan, while another 4 million have crossed into neighboring countries seeking safety. Darfur, where the landslide occurred, remains largely inaccessible to international aid groups due to ongoing conflict, making relief efforts extremely difficult.

The governor of Darfur, Minni Minnawi, described the landslide as a “humanitarian tragedy that goes beyond the borders of the region”. He called on international organizations to act quickly, warning that the local population cannot handle the disaster alone.

“We appeal to international humanitarian organizations to urgently intervene and provide support and assistance at this critical moment, for the tragedy is greater than what our people can bear alone,” he said.

Why the Disaster Happened

The village of Tarasin sits in the Marra mountains, one of Sudan’s most rugged and elevated regions. Heavy rains over several days caused the mountainside to give way, triggering a landslide that engulfed homes, farms, and roads.

The SLM warned that much of the debris remains buried under soil and rocks, and recovery will take time. Search and rescue operations are extremely challenging due to the remote location and ongoing conflict in the region.

Darfur and the Ongoing War

Darfur has been a conflict zone for decades, and the current war has made life even harder for civilians. The fighting has created massive destruction across cities and villages, destroying schools, hospitals, and markets.

The RSF now controls most of Darfur, except for El-Fasher, the state capital. Recent months have seen intense battles in the area, leaving hundreds dead and thousands more displaced. Civilians report that El-Fasher has been under constant attack, with paramilitary forces conducting what many call their fiercest assaults yet.

The war has also worsened hunger and malnutrition. The United Nations describes Sudan as facing the largest displacement and hunger crises in the world, with millions of people lacking basic food, clean water, and medical care.

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The Scale of the Crisis

• Death Toll: Over 1,000 confirmed dead in Tarasin, with only one survivor reported.

• Displaced People: Around 10 million internally displaced; 4 million fled to neighboring countries.

• Food Shortage: Millions at risk of hunger due to destroyed farmland and war.

• Access Challenges: Ongoing fighting makes it nearly impossible for international aid to reach the most affected areas.

Experts warn that more landslides may occur if heavy rains continue, and the region remains at risk of further natural disasters due to its mountainous terrain and unstable soil.

Calls for Urgent Help

The SLM, local authorities, and humanitarian groups are appealing for emergency assistance, including:

• Rescue teams to recover bodies and search for survivors

• Food, water, and medicine for affected families

• Shelter for villagers who lost their homes

• Support for rebuilding farms and infrastructure destroyed by the landslide

The United Nations and international aid organizations have been informed, but access remains a major problem. With roads blocked and fighting ongoing, sending aid to Tarasin and nearby villages will take time and careful planning.

The Human Cost

Beyond statistics, the landslide has left a profound human impact. Families who survived previous conflicts now face new devastation, with entire communities wiped out overnight. Children, women, and the elderly are among the hardest hit.

Local residents describe heartbreaking scenes of homes buried in mud, livestock crushed, and fields destroyed. Survivors mourn relatives, some of whom may never be found. The lone survivor of Tarasin is reportedly in critical condition, highlighting the extreme danger of the landslide.

The Bigger Picture

Sudan’s humanitarian crisis is a combination of war, displacement, hunger, and natural disasters. Landslides like the one in Tarasin demonstrate how fragile life is for ordinary people in conflict zones.

The Marra mountains, while remote and scenic, are highly vulnerable to rain-induced disasters. Without stronger infrastructure, disaster preparedness, and international support, such tragedies are likely to happen again.

Humanitarian experts say the world must not turn away from Sudan, even as multiple crises compete for global attention. Immediate relief and long-term aid are crucial to prevent further loss of life.

The Sudan landslide is one of the deadliest natural disasters in the country in recent years. More than 1,000 lives lost, one survivor, and entire villages destroyed paint a grim picture.

This tragedy comes on top of ongoing war and famine, leaving millions of people vulnerable. International organizations are being urged to act quickly, but access challenges and fighting make timely relief extremely difficult.

For the people of Tarasin and Darfur, the future is uncertain. Survivors now face the dual challenge of rebuilding their lives while dealing with the trauma of losing loved ones, homes, and livelihoods in one tragic event.

The Sudan landslide is a stark reminder of how nature and conflict can combine to create overwhelming human suffering, demanding urgent global attention and support.