A devastating landslide has struck a village in Marra Mountains of western Sudan, killing more than 1,000 people and leaving only one survivor, the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A) has reported. The disaster has compounded the suffering of a region already battered by years of conflict and neglect.

Marra Mountains, a rugged and isolated area in Darfur, have long been a battleground between Sudanese government forces and various rebel factions. The region is marked by difficult terrain and seasonal rains that frequently trigger landslides and flash floods. This latest catastrophe underscores the vulnerability of communities living at the intersection of environmental risk and armed conflict.

“The scale of the loss is unimaginable,” said an aid worker familiar with the region, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Access is nearly impossible. Relief agencies are struggling to get to survivors, and the risk of further landslides remains high.”

Humanitarian organisations have warned that the death toll could rise as rescue operations continue amid limited resources and security concerns. The Sudanese government has pledged to support relief efforts, but persistent instability and poor infrastructure hinder rapid response.

The tragedy highlights the broader humanitarian crisis facing Sudan, where political turmoil, economic decline, and ongoing violence have displaced millions and strained aid networks. In 2025 alone, extreme weather events have worsened food insecurity and health emergencies across the country.

International donors and aid agencies are calling for increased funding and coordinated action to address both immediate needs and long-term resilience in vulnerable regions like the Marra Mountains. “Without sustained support, disasters like this will continue to devastate communities already pushed to the brink,” warned a spokesperson for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

As Sudan contends with overlapping challenges, the plight of those in the Marra Mountains serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict and climate fragility in the region.