Sudan landslide kills over 1,000 people, rebel group says. Credit Image: The Gurdian
(The Post News)-Amid the ongoing Darfur conflict, a devastating landslide in Sudan’s Marra Hills has killed over 1,000 people, the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army reported. Continuous heavy rainfall triggered the disaster on Sunday, leaving only one survivor and “flattening” much of the Tarasin settlement.
The remote location and ongoing violence linked to the Darfur conflict have made rescue efforts extremely difficult, slowing access for emergency teams.
Calls for Immediate Humanitarian Aid
In response, the faction has called on the United Nations (UN) and other regional and global organizations to provide urgent relief, warning that delays could result in even greater loss of life.
Thousands of residents from North Darfur province had fled their homes and sought refuge in the Marra Hills after clashes between the Sudanese armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) forced them from their villages.
Many of these displaced communities were already vulnerable due to the ongoing Darfur conflict, which has displaced millions and weakened local infrastructure.
Minni Minnawi, the Darfur governor allied with the army, described the landslide as a “humanitarian catastrophe.” Moreover, he issued an urgent appeal to global humanitarian agencies, imploring them to immediately intervene and deliver aid and relief at this critical juncture, stating, “The catastrophe surpasses what our community can endure unaided.”
His plea reflects the broader consequences of the Darfur conflict, which have left communities highly vulnerable to both violence and natural disasters.
The Impact of the Darfur Conflict on Vulnerable Communities
The civil fighting between the Sudanese military and the RSF, which erupted in April 2023, has compounded the humanitarian crisis in the region. Fighting has driven the nation into famine and prompted allegations of genocide in western Darfur.
Although casualty estimates vary widely, a U.S. official last year suggested that up to 150,000 people may have died since the onset of the Darfur conflict, with around 12 million displaced across Sudan. As a result, the Darfur conflict has left communities highly vulnerable to environmental disasters like the recent landslide.
The Sudan Liberation Army, which governs the area affected by the landslide, has pledged to ally with the Sudanese military against the RSF. Meanwhile, many residents in Darfur accuse the RSF and allied militias of attempting to transform the ethnically diverse region into an Arab-controlled territory.
Consequently, the Darfur conflict fuels ethnic tensions that hinder relief efforts and make safe access difficult for humanitarian workers.
Challenges in Delivering Relief
Local authorities and aid groups have expressed grave concern over the limited access to the Marra Hills. Without immediate intervention, survivors face exposure, disease, and food insecurity.
Although aid agencies are mobilizing resources, the combination of rugged terrain, ongoing rainfall, and the Darfur conflict has slowed the delivery of critical supplies. Ultimately, the Darfur conflict highlights the urgent need for coordinated humanitarian action to protect vulnerable populations.
International organizations have pledged support, yet officials warn that logistical challenges could delay relief for days. The landslide has drawn attention to the broader challenges facing Darfur, where years of violence, displacement, and poverty caused by the Darfur conflict have left communities highly susceptible to natural disasters.
Minnawi’s appeal emphasizes not only the immediate need for emergency aid but also the ongoing consequences of prolonged instability, including the destruction of infrastructure, loss of livelihoods, and a lack of safe shelter for displaced populations.
As a result, the region now reels from the landslide, and local and international actors face an urgent race against time to save lives and prevent further suffering. Overall, the Darfur conflict underscores why environmental disasters and armed conflict together create compounded crises for communities in Sudan.
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