Sudan Landslide Disaster: Aid Workers Reach Remote Darfur Village on Donkeys After Hundreds Feared Dead

Aid workers in Sudan have reached a remote mountain village in western Darfur using donkeys to deliver urgent humanitarian aid after a devastating landslide reportedly killed hundreds of people. The disaster struck Tarasin village on Sunday following days of heavy rain and flash floods, making the area nearly inaccessible by vehicle due to steep, muddy terrain.

Francesco Lanino of Save the Children confirmed that the aid team’s journey took over a full day through rocky and flooded paths. The first delivery included medical supplies, food, water, and tarpaulins for affected families. Additional emergency teams, including mobile clinics, child protection experts, and mental health professionals, have also been deployed.

While Sudan’s health ministry has officially confirmed only two deaths, local leaders and footage from the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A), which controls the area, suggest a much higher toll. Some leaders report that at least 370 to 375 bodies have been recovered and buried, with many more still trapped under rubble or swept away by floodwaters.

SLM/A, which has remained neutral in Sudan’s ongoing civil war, says thousands who had fled conflict zones sought refuge in the Marra Mountains, where the landslide occurred. The UN’s deputy humanitarian coordinator Antoine Gérard noted the true scale of the tragedy remains unclear due to limited access, but early estimates suggest up to 1,000 people may have died and at least 1,000 have been affected.

The disaster compounds an already dire humanitarian crisis in Sudan, where 30 million people are in need of aid. Ongoing conflict, infrastructure collapse, and worsening weather conditions have hampered rescue and relief operations. Aid agencies including Save the Children, the UN, World Vision, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) are now coordinating efforts to respond to this unfolding crisis.

With heavy rains forecast to continue through September and fears of disease outbreaks growing, local leaders and aid groups are urging for immediate international support to prevent further loss of life.