Heavy rains trigger landslide in Darfur’s Marra Mountains, leaving only one survivor and urgent calls for international aid.

A catastrophic landslide has destroyed the village of Tarasin in Sudan’s Marra Mountains, killing more than 1,000 people, according to the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army, the armed group controlling the region. The disaster struck after days of heavy rainfall on Sunday, completely leveling the village with only one person surviving.

The Sudan Liberation Movement/Army has appealed urgently to the United Nations and international humanitarian organizations for help in recovering the bodies buried under the debris. The village, known for its citrus orchards, was completely flattened by the landslide.

Accessing the area poses significant challenges as it is remote and mountainous, with rough roads made worse by the ongoing rainy season. Humanitarian delivery by trucks is slow, and helicopters are not available, limiting rapid aid efforts.

Many residents of North Darfur had taken refuge in the Marra Mountains due to the brutal civil war between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023. This conflict has forced millions to flee their homes and caused a major humanitarian crisis in the region.

Minni Minnawi, the army-aligned governor of Darfur, called the landslide a “humanitarian tragedy” and appealed for urgent international support, saying the catastrophe is beyond the local capacity to manage.

The civil war itself has already resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and millions displaced, with Darfur witnessing severe violence and famine. The landslide tragedy further compounds the dire situation faced by communities enduring conflict and harsh weather.