Darfur Landslide: A Call to Action
By Darius Spearman (africanelements)
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Darfur Disaster: A Village Erased
A devastating landslide in the village of Tarasin, nestled within Central Darfur’s Marrah Mountains, has reportedly claimed over 1,000 lives (Dabanga Radio TV Online). This tragic event, which occurred on a Sunday after days of relentless heavy rainfall, has completely leveled the village. The Sudan Liberation Movement-Army (SLM-A) stated that Tarasin was “completely leveled to the ground” and urgently appealed to the United Nations and international aid groups for assistance (Dabanga Radio TV Online). Initial reports from the rebel group indicated that all residents, estimated to be more than 1,000 people, perished, with only one survivor (Dabanga Radio TV Online).
Luca Renda, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator in Sudan, expressed profound sadness over the reported landslide. He noted that local sources indicated “between 300 and 1,000 people may have lost their lives” (Dabanga Radio TV Online). The ruling Sovereign Council in Khartoum also mourned “the death of hundreds of innocent residents” and stated that “all possible capabilities” have been mobilized to support the affected area (Dabanga Radio TV Online). Despite these efforts, search teams face significant challenges due to adverse weather conditions and a severe lack of resources (Dabanga Radio TV Online). A local emergency network reported recovering the bodies of nine people on Tuesday (Dabanga Radio TV Online).
Humanitarian Aid in Conflict Zones
The international community and various humanitarian organizations are actively mobilizing to respond to the disaster in Darfur (ReliefWeb Response). The U.N. and its partners are coordinating efforts to support the impacted communities (ReliefWeb Response). Humanitarian partners have already intensified their response in North Darfur, delivering food, nutrition, and essential aid to hundreds of thousands of recently displaced individuals (ReliefWeb Response). The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has begun distributing food aid in Sudan’s Darfur region, with trucks carrying 1,134 tonnes of food intended for approximately 280,000 people (english.news.cn).
However, the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Sudan significantly complicate disaster response efforts (ReliefWeb Updates). Civilian deaths and mass displacement have been reported from Zamzam camp near Al Fasher in North Darfur, following reports of groups affiliated with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) taking control (ReliefWeb Updates). More than 100 people, including over 20 children, are feared dead, and the deaths of at least nine humanitarians have been confirmed in Sudan (ReliefWeb Updates). The conflict creates an environment of insecurity, restricts humanitarian access, and disrupts essential services, making it incredibly difficult to provide timely and effective aid (acaps.org).
Humanitarian Challenges in Sudan
The Marrah Mountains: A Vulnerable Region
The Marrah Mountains are a crucial geographical feature in Sudan, particularly within the context of ongoing conflict and humanitarian challenges. The region’s inaccessibility and the presence of armed groups contribute to its vulnerability and complicate humanitarian response efforts (acaps.org). Humanitarian access restrictions persist across Sudan, especially in Darfur and Kordofan regions, where the Marrah Mountains are located (acaps.org). Bureaucratic and administrative impediments imposed by both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) further delay aid delivery in various parts of Sudan, including regions like Darfur (acaps.org).
The challenges in reaching affected areas are compounded by the limited infrastructure. The area is reportedly only accessible by foot or donkeys, which severely impacts emergency response capabilities (Dabanga Radio TV Online). This lack of proper roads and transportation means that aid workers and supplies struggle to reach those in dire need, exacerbating the suffering of the affected communities. The remote nature of the Marrah Mountains makes it a particularly difficult environment for humanitarian operations, requiring innovative and resilient approaches to deliver assistance.
Discrepancies in Death Tolls
The wide range in estimated deaths, from 300 to over 1,000, highlights the significant challenges in data collection within conflict-affected and remote areas of Sudan (Dabanga Radio TV Online). Insecurity and the looting of warehouses have led to the suspension of some humanitarian operations, which directly impedes accurate data collection (acaps.org). Humanitarian access restrictions continue across Sudan, particularly in conflict-affected areas, making it difficult to obtain precise figures (acaps.org).
The ongoing conflict creates a chaotic environment where verifying information is extremely difficult. Reports from different sources, such as the Sudan Liberation Movement-Army and the U.N., may vary due to differing access to the affected areas and the methods used for assessment. The lack of clear communication channels and the constant threat of violence further complicate efforts to get a definitive count of casualties. This uncertainty underscores the urgent need for improved access and security for humanitarian organizations to conduct thorough assessments and provide accurate information.
The Impact of Conflict on Response Efforts
The ongoing conflict in Sudan, involving groups like the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), profoundly impacts disaster response efforts and civilian safety (acaps.org). Insecurity and the looting of warehouses have forced the suspension of some humanitarian operations, directly affecting aid delivery (acaps.org). Humanitarian access restrictions persist across Sudan, particularly in Khartoum state and the Darfur and Kordofan regions, due to the conflict (acaps.org).
Recent drone strikes across Sudan have damaged critical infrastructure, disrupted essential services, and triggered further displacement, all of which hinder effective disaster response (ReliefWeb Response). The RSF’s control over Aj Jazirah, an area that produces nearly half of Sudan’s wheat, will likely result in severe food shortages, demonstrating how the conflict impacts essential resources and exacerbates humanitarian needs (acaps.org). The constant threat of violence and the shifting control of territories make it incredibly dangerous for aid workers to operate, putting their lives at risk while trying to help those in need.
Key Players: RSF and Zamzam Camp
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are a significant armed group involved in the ongoing conflict in Sudan (reliefweb.int). In March, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) gained control of Khartoum from the RSF after a prolonged conflict, highlighting the RSF’s substantial role in the ongoing hostilities (reliefweb.int). The conflict between these two forces has led to widespread displacement and a severe humanitarian crisis across the country.
Zamzam camp is a critical location in North Darfur that has experienced significant displacement and humanitarian needs due to the conflict (ReliefWeb Updates). Civilian deaths and mass displacement have been reported from Zamzam camp following reports that groups affiliated with the Rapid Support Forces have taken control (ReliefWeb Updates). This camp serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of the conflict, with thousands of people seeking refuge from violence and facing dire conditions.
Humanitarian Response: Aid and Obstacles
The humanitarian response in Sudan involves various types of aid, including food, nutrition, and essential supplies (reliefweb.int). The World Food Programme (WFP) continues to support community kitchens in Khartoum, delivering hot meals to over 300,000 people, demonstrating a focus on immediate food assistance (reliefweb.int). Humanitarian partners have scaled up their response, delivering food, nutrition, and essential aid to hundreds of thousands recently displaced in North Darfur (ReliefWeb Response).
WFP Aid Distribution in Sudan
However, aid delivery faces numerous obstacles. Bureaucratic and administrative impediments imposed by the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces significantly delay aid delivery (acaps.org). Some humanitarian operations have been suspended due to insecurity and the looting of warehouses, further hindering assistance (acaps.org). Despite these challenges, there have been some logistical improvements, such as the extension of the Adre crossing point and the re-opening of previously closed routes, which have improved access to Khartoum and Wad Medani (reliefweb.int). The WFP also noted a significant improvement in Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) convoy movement approvals in March, with 92 percent of submissions being approved, indicating some easing of bureaucratic hurdles (reliefweb.int).
Sexual Violence in the DRC: A Parallel Crisis
While the focus remains on the devastating landslide in Darfur, it is important to acknowledge the parallel humanitarian crises unfolding across the African continent. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), for instance, sexual violence has reached alarming levels, particularly since 2023 (ledevoir.com). Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has described the situation as “terrifying” and “alarming,” noting a dramatic increase in rapes since the beginning of the year, intensified by combat in the eastern part of the country and the fall of Goma and Bukavu to the M23 group (ledevoir.com). MSF reported caring for 25,166 survivors of sexual violence in 2023, which translates to more than two victims per hour (ledevoir.com).
Sexual Violence in the DRC (2023)
MSF is calling for specific investment in improved medical, social, legal, and psychological care for survivors of sexual violence (msf.ch). This includes long-term funding for training, post-rape kits, legal support, safe housing, and awareness campaigns to combat stigmatization (msf.ch). Given the high demand for pregnancy terminations among victims, MSF also advocates for finalizing national legislative reforms to ensure access to comprehensive medical abortion care (msf.ch). Sexual violence is a critical medical and humanitarian emergency in the DRC (msf.ch).
Other Health Crises in the DRC
Beyond sexual violence, the Democratic Republic of Congo faces a multitude of other health crises. Malaria, for example, causes four times more deaths annually than conflict, meningitis, cholera, measles, and respiratory diseases combined, with children being the most severely affected (msf.org). Most MSF projects in the DRC include malaria care, and the organization also conducts emergency interventions to contain outbreaks (msf.org). The DRC is highly susceptible to outbreaks of infectious diseases, including measles, yellow fever, and cholera (msf.org).
The displacement crisis in the DRC further exacerbates these vulnerabilities. Women, in particular, experience significant violence and trauma (medicamondiale.org). Organizations like PAIF are working to help women affected by violence regain socio-economic independence (medicamondiale.org). Sexualized violence not only harms individuals but also attacks entire communities, leading to exclusion from families and communities (medicamondiale.org). PAIF offers vocational training, such as tailoring or baking, to help survivors rebuild their lives (medicamondiale.org).
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Darius Spearman has been a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.
