Image Source: NBC News
Africa – A devastating landslide in Sudan’s Darfur region has killed hundreds, with some estimates placing the death toll as high as 1,000.
The disaster struck as the northeastern African country reels from civil war and famine, compounding what is already considered one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
Sudanese journalist Saeed Abdalla described the situation as one of the darkest days in the country’s recent history. He said the impact in the village was overwhelming, leaving devastation on a scale not witnessed for decades.
“It’s a very sad day. It was a very sad day for Sudan. I think what we saw is a real disaster that we didn’t see in recent history.”
Abdalla explained that access to the affected areas is extremely limited. The remote terrain of the Jebel Marra Mountains prevents vehicles from reaching communities, forcing survivors and aid workers to rely on walking or donkeys.
“It’s a landslide that hit that village, which is already cut off from the country. In order to get to that village itself, you need to walk or ride a donkey. You cannot use vehicles, and the terrain there is very difficult.”
He further pointed out that the real extent of the disaster remains uncertain. Figures released by armed groups and the United Nations differ widely, with the toll possibly as high as 1,000.
“According to this rebel armed group led by Abdul Rahim Muhammad Nour, what we have now is like a thousand people killed… and what the UN is saying at the moment as well, we’re talking about 300 to 1,000.”
Humanitarian Access Blocked
The landslide has highlighted long-standing challenges faced by aid groups trying to reach Darfur. Years of conflict and poor infrastructure have made even the most basic relief operations extremely difficult.
In many cases, communities remain disconnected from communication networks, forcing residents to walk long distances to access help.
“There’s an ongoing war in Sudan at the moment that affects all the humanitarian aid corridors. Secondly, this area is cut off. There’s a lack of transportation and no network there to communicate with people,” Abdalla said.
Survivors have also been forced to walk for hours to alert authorities and request assistance. These delays mean families are left without even the most basic services.
“People need to walk for long distances just to connect with the authorities or at least to get basic services and rescue from other areas,” Abdalla explained.
Aid as a Weapon of War
Moreover, Abdalla drew attention to the way the civil war has turned aid itself into a tool of conflict. Warring factions have blocked deliveries, diverted supplies, and at times even stolen resources for their own fighters.
“After the war erupted in April 2023, these two warring factions have been using aid as a tool. In the area the RSF controls, they don’t allow humanitarian aid to get access… sometimes they steal the aid for themselves.”
