A quiet Sunday in Sudan’s Marra Mountains turned into a horrifying nightmare when a massive landslide wiped out most of a village. More than a thousand people died, caught in the sudden rush of earth. Only one person is known to have survived the disaster.
The Sudan Liberation Movement/Army, or SLM/A, reported the devastating event. It happened on a recent Sunday, August 31st, after several days of heavy rain. The village of Tarasin, nestled in this remote western region, was almost completely destroyed.
Following the tragedy, the SLM/A quickly appealed for help. They asked the United Nations and other international groups to send humanitarian aid to the stricken area.
The Marra Mountains have become a refuge for many seeking safety. Large numbers of people from North Darfur had moved there. They were escaping a fierce civil war that began in April 2023. This conflict pits the Sudanese Army against the Rapid Support Forces, a powerful paramilitary group.
The war has brought immense suffering to the region. Around 150,000 people have lost their lives. A staggering 12 million others have been forced to leave their homes, becoming displaced. Many Darfur residents believe the Rapid Support Forces and their allies are fighting to turn the diverse region into one controlled by Arab groups.
Now, with the civil war nearing its second year, more than half of the population faces severe hunger. Millions remain uprooted from their lives. The fighting continues, with North Darfur’s capital city, Al-Fashir, still under attack.
Source: BBC