Avalanches in the Darfur mountains of Sudan result in numerous fatalities, swallowing up nearby villages.
In the heart of Sudan's western Darfur, the village of Tarasin has been left in ruins following three successive landslides last week. Over the course of three days, the village and neighbouring communities were struck by these natural disasters.
The first landslide occurred at 5 pm (1500 GMT) on Sunday, followed by the second on Monday and the third on Tuesday. The mudslides have claimed at least 373 lives, with over a thousand feared dead. Only 150 survivors, including 40 children, have been found so far.
Tarasin, situated in one of Sudan's most geologically active regions - Jebel Marra, which sits atop a major tectonic fault line - was buried under a tide of mud, taking with it homes, livestock, and entire families. Over 5,000 livestock, including cows, goats, and camels, were among the casualties.
The landslides struck during Sudan's peak flooding season, which runs from July to October. With flooding contaminating water sources, cholera is now a major threat in the area.
The Jebel Marra region, controlled by the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army, has no mobile phone network or road access, making relief efforts challenging. The team from Save the Children, who arrived in the village after traveling for ten grueling hours on donkeyback from the remote town of Golo, have deployed 11 staff, including doctors, nurses, midwives, and social workers.
They have set up an emergency health post and psychosocial support groups for women and children. Save the Children operations director, Francesco Lanino, reported that the survivors were digging through the mud with their bare hands to search for lost loved ones.
Moreover, the United Nations has stated that more than two years of fighting between rival generals have triggered one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent history. The General Authority for Geological Research has warned that continued landslides could lead to "catastrophic" humanitarian and environmental consequences.
Last week, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) deployed aid in the Jebel Marra region to support those affected by the landslides in the villages of Tarasin and surrounding areas. As the survivors face an uncertain future, aid organisations continue to work tirelessly to provide much-needed support and hope.
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