At least 1,000 people lost their lives when a landslide wiped out an entire village in the Marra Mountains of western Sudan, according to the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A). The devastating incident occurred on August 31 after days of relentless rainfall, leaving just one survivor behind.
“The village has now been completely levelled to the ground,” the SLM/A, led by Abdelwahid Mohamed Nour, confirmed in a statement released on Monday. The group, which maintains control of the area within Sudan’s Darfur region, urgently appealed to the United Nations and international aid agencies for assistance in recovering the bodies of victims, including men, women, and children.
What Led to the Landslide in Western Sudan?
The Marra Mountains area, where the tragedy occurred, has become a refuge for thousands of civilians fleeing the brutal conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). After two years of civil war, conditions remain dire, with little access to food or medical supplies. The ongoing clashes have forced millions from their homes, leaving already vulnerable families even more exposed to disasters like this landslide.
How Is the Conflict Making the Situation Worse?
North Darfur’s capital, Al-Fashir, continues to be under heavy fire, worsening displacement, and humanitarian struggles. The civil war has pushed more than half of Sudan’s population into crisis levels of hunger, creating a desperate situation across the country. For those who fled to the mountains, the hope of finding safety was met with a natural disaster that claimed nearly every life in one village.
What Help Is Being Called For?
The SLM/A’s appeal highlights the urgent need for a global humanitarian response. Recovery of victims and support for survivors are critical, especially as conflict and environmental disasters intersect to devastate communities. International organizations are being urged to step in immediately to provide aid, relief, and longer-term assistance to those trapped in overlapping crises.
By Lucky Anyanje
