Darfur, Sudan — A devastating landslide in western Darfur has killed more than 1,000 people, according to the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A), the rebel group that controls the affected area. The tragedy struck on Sunday in the remote village of Tarasin in the Marra Mountains after days of relentless rainfall.
Local reports indicate that Tarasin was completely destroyed, with only one survivor pulled from the rubble. “The village has been leveled to the ground,” SLM/A officials said in a statement, appealing for immediate help from the United Nations and international aid agencies to recover bodies and deliver emergency relief.
Entire Village Buried Under Debris
Residents describe the scale of destruction as unprecedented. Torrential rains loosened unstable soil in the Marra Mountains, triggering a massive landslide that engulfed homes, farmland, and vital community infrastructure. With communication lines down and roads cut off, accurate casualty figures remain difficult to verify, but humanitarian organizations fear the death toll could rise further.
“Rescue operations are almost impossible without heavy equipment and medical support,” said one aid worker based outside Darfur. “The survivors need urgent assistance, but reaching them is extremely dangerous.”
Crisis in a War-Torn Region
The disaster comes amid Sudan’s ongoing civil war, which erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict has pushed millions into displacement camps, fueled famine, and made humanitarian access to Darfur nearly impossible.
The Marra Mountains, traditionally a safe haven for those escaping violence, have now turned into the scene of a catastrophic natural disaster. Experts warn that the combination of armed conflict and environmental vulnerability creates a “double emergency” for the people of Darfur.
International Response and Challenges
Despite appeals for international assistance, access to the affected region remains blocked by fighting. The United Nations has expressed “grave concern” over the situation but acknowledged that delivering aid will be a logistical and security challenge.
Neighboring countries and regional organizations have also been called upon to provide support, particularly in supplying food, medical aid, and temporary shelter. However, with Sudan’s borders already overwhelmed by refugees, the capacity for cross-border humanitarian relief is limited.
A Long History of Suffering in Darfur
Darfur has faced recurring cycles of violence and displacement for two decades. Beyond war, the region is highly vulnerable to environmental shocks, including droughts, flash floods, and now landslides. Climate experts warn that heavier seasonal rains, intensified by climate change, may increase the risk of similar disasters in the future.
For residents of Tarasin and surrounding villages, survival now depends on international attention. Without urgent intervention, communities already weakened by hunger and conflict face the prospect of disease outbreaks, further displacement, and lasting trauma.
Looking Ahead
As Sudan’s civil war drags on, analysts say disasters like the Darfur landslide highlight the urgent need for peace and humanitarian access. International aid groups stress that saving lives will require not only emergency response but also long-term strategies to address both conflict and environmental resilience.
For now, the people of Tarasin remain trapped between war and disaster, their plight a stark reminder of the human cost of Sudan’s overlapping crises.
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