What's happened
Recent heavy rains triggered deadly landslides in Sudan's Darfur region, killing up to 1,000 people, mostly children. The disaster worsens Sudan's ongoing humanitarian crisis caused by civil war since April 2023, with rescue efforts hampered by conflict, flooding, and inaccessible terrain. The UN and aid groups call for urgent action.
What's behind the headline?
The recent landslides in Sudan highlight the compounded effects of climate change and ongoing conflict. Heavy rains in the Marrah Mountains have caused catastrophic mudslides, killing thousands and displacing many more. The fact that local groups, such as the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army, are conducting rescue efforts underscores the collapse of state infrastructure. The disaster's scale is amplified by the war, which has made access to affected areas nearly impossible for international aid. The UN estimates that between 300-1,000 lives have been lost, but the true toll may be higher due to the remoteness of the region. This tragedy exposes the vulnerability of Sudan's fragile environment and political instability, which together create a perfect storm for such disasters. The ongoing conflict not only hampers immediate rescue efforts but also hampers long-term recovery and resilience-building. The international community's call for a coordinated response is urgent, but the entrenched war and logistical challenges suggest that aid delivery will remain difficult. The disaster also underscores the need for climate adaptation strategies in conflict zones, where environmental hazards are exacerbated by political instability. Moving forward, Sudan's future will depend on both peace negotiations and climate resilience measures to prevent similar tragedies.
What the papers say
The articles from The New Arab, AP News, and The Independent provide a consistent picture of the disaster, emphasizing the scale of the tragedy and the ongoing conflict. The New Arab highlights the link between conflict, gold smuggling, and the humanitarian crisis, while AP News and The Independent focus on the landslide's human toll and the difficulty of rescue efforts. Notably, AP News and The Independent report similar death toll estimates, with AP noting the recovery of 375 bodies and The Independent suggesting all residents may have been killed. The New Arab adds context about the broader environmental and economic issues, such as artisanal mining and gold smuggling, which contribute to Sudan's instability. The coverage collectively underscores the severity of the disaster, the complicating factors of ongoing war, and the urgent need for international aid and climate adaptation.
How we got here
Sudan has a long history of conflict, including the 2011 independence of South Sudan, and faces recurring seasonal flooding that causes hundreds of deaths annually. Climate change has intensified these floods. The current civil war, erupting in April 2023 between the military and RSF, has devastated the country, causing widespread displacement, famine, and disease outbreaks. The Marrah Mountains region, where the recent landslides occurred, is particularly vulnerable due to its terrain and ongoing heavy rains, which have triggered multiple waves of landslides and hampered aid access.
Go deeper
Common question
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What caused the deadly landslide in Sudan?
The recent landslide in Sudan's Darfur region has shocked many, killing around 1,000 people amid ongoing conflict and severe flooding. But what exactly triggered this tragedy? Understanding the causes behind such disasters can help us better prepare and respond. Below, we explore the factors that led to this devastating event and what it means for Sudan's future.
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What Are the Causes and Impacts of the Sudan Landslide?
Recent events in Sudan highlight the devastating effects of natural disasters compounded by ongoing conflict. The landslide in Darfur has claimed many lives and worsened the humanitarian crisis. But what exactly caused this disaster, and what are its broader implications? Below, we explore the causes, impacts, and responses to this tragic event, along with related questions about environmental crises and global responses.
More on these topics
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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 Marrah Mountains or Marra Mountains are a range of volcanic peaks in a massif that rises up to 3,042 metres (9,980 ft). They are the highest mountains in Sudan.
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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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Khartoum or Khartum is the capital of Sudan. With a population of 5,274,321, its metropolitan area is the largest in Sudan, the sixth-largest in Africa, the second-largest in North Africa, and the fourth-largest in the Arab world.
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The Save the Children Fund, commonly known as Save the Children was established in the United Kingdom in 1919 to improve the lives of children through better education, health care, and economic opportunities, as well as providing emergency aid in natural