What's happened
On Sunday, a massive landslide in Tarasin village, Central Darfur's Marrah Mountains, killed over 1,000 people, leaving only one survivor. The Sudan Liberation Movement-Army, controlling the area, has appealed for urgent international aid amid ongoing civil war and difficult access. The disaster compounds Sudan's severe humanitarian crisis worsened by conflict and seasonal rains.
What's behind the headline?
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens Amid Conflict and Natural Disaster
The landslide in Tarasin is not just a natural disaster but a tragic amplification of Sudan's ongoing humanitarian catastrophe. The village, completely destroyed with an estimated death toll exceeding 1,000, highlights the vulnerability of remote communities caught between conflict and environmental hazards.
Conflict Restricts Aid and Access
The civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has fragmented control over Darfur, with the Sudan Liberation Movement-Army (SLM/A) governing parts of the Marrah Mountains but remaining neutral. This fractured control, combined with ongoing fighting, severely limits humanitarian access, turning the region into a 'black hole' for aid, as described by Doctors Without Borders.
Environmental and Geographical Challenges
The Marrah Mountains' volcanic terrain and heavy seasonal rainfall create conditions prone to landslides. The village of Tarasin, known for citrus production, was particularly vulnerable due to weeks of torrential rain. The disaster underscores the compounded risks faced by communities in conflict zones exposed to climate-related hazards.
International Response and Future Outlook
The SLM/A's urgent appeal to the UN and international aid agencies reflects the dire need for coordinated relief efforts. However, logistical challenges—such as impassable roads accessible only by foot or donkey—will hamper rapid response. Without improved security and access, aid delivery will remain insufficient, prolonging suffering.
Broader Implications
This tragedy will likely exacerbate displacement and food insecurity in Darfur, already suffering from famine and cholera outbreaks. The international community faces a critical test in balancing conflict resolution efforts with humanitarian aid to prevent further loss of life and stabilize the region.
What the papers say
Al Jazeera reports that "370 bodies had been recovered and buried," with many more trapped or swept away, emphasizing the difficulty in confirming the full death toll due to the area's inaccessibility. The Sudan Liberation Movement-Army (SLM/A) described the village of Tarasin as "completely levelled to the ground," with only one survivor, appealing urgently for international aid (The Independent, Samy Magdy). The UN humanitarian coordinator Luca Renda expressed being "deeply saddened" and noted mobilization efforts despite logistical challenges (Al Jazeera, The Independent).
Gulf News and South China Morning Post highlight the ongoing civil war's impact on aid delivery, with Darfur largely inaccessible due to fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Doctors Without Borders described the region as a "black hole" in Sudan's humanitarian response, underscoring the isolation of affected communities (The Times of Israel).
The Times of Israel and AP News provide detailed context on the Marrah Mountains' geography and the seasonal rains that regularly cause deadly disasters, situating this landslide among Sudan's deadliest natural events in recent history. The Japan Times and Bloomberg confirm the single survivor and the SLM/A's control over the area, reinforcing the narrative of a remote, conflict-affected zone.
Together, these sources paint a picture of a devastating natural disaster compounded by conflict, isolation, and humanitarian challenges, with urgent calls for international intervention.
How we got here
Sudan has been engulfed in a brutal civil war since April 2023 between the Sudanese army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, causing tens of thousands of deaths and displacing millions. The Marrah Mountains, a volcanic World Heritage Site in Darfur, are remote and difficult to access, complicating aid delivery. Seasonal rains from July to October regularly cause deadly floods and landslides in the region.
Go deeper
- What caused the landslide in Tarasin village?
- How is the ongoing civil war affecting aid delivery in Darfur?
- What is the international community doing to help Sudan after this disaster?
Common question
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Darfur is a region of western Sudan. Dār is an Arabic word meaning "home [of]" – the region was named Dardaju while ruled by the Daju, who migrated from Meroë c. 350 AD, and it was renamed Dartunjur when the Tunjur ruled the area.
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Sudan, officially the Republic of the Sudan, is a country in North-East Africa. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, Libya to the northwest, Chad to the west, the Central African Republic to the southwest, South Sudan to the south, Ethiopia to the southe
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The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.
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Suliman Arcua Minnawi, known as "Minni Minnawi", is a Sudanese politician who was the leader of the largest faction of the Sudanese Liberation Army.
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Lt. Gen. Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman al-Burhan is a Sudanese politician and Sudanese Army general who is currently serving as Chairman of the Sovereignty Council of Sudan, the country's collective transitional head of state.