Up to 1,000 people are feared dead after a landslide hit the village of Tarsin in Jebel Marra, western Sudan, the United Nations said Wednesday, citing local estimates.
The slide struck on August 31 after heavy rains, Acting UN humanitarian coordinator Luca Renda said, expressing “deep regret” and offering condolences to the families of the victims.
Renda said the UN and its partners are mobilising assistance and “will spare no effort” to reach those in need.
The International Organization for Migration called the disaster one of the largest in Sudan’s recent history and said it comes amid a war that has displaced millions and pushed communities toward famine.
Jebel Marra has become a refuge for families fleeing violence in El Fasher and nearby areas, IOM said, but access to Tarsin is blocked by ongoing fighting and restrictions.
The agency urged immediate, safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and called on all parties to respect international humanitarian law and protect civilians and aid workers.