On 31 August, heavy rains triggered a devastating landslide in Tarsin village, Sharg Aj Jabal locality, South Darfur State. Nestled deep within the Jebel Marra mountains, the community was struck after days of relentless downpours left the steep terrain dangerously unstable. The destruction has been catastrophic, with officials estimating that more than 1,000 lives were lost. Families who survived remain cut off by rugged terrain and face the ongoing risks of a relentless rainy season.
The landslide devastated entire towns and villages. Orchards were swept away, livestock drowned, and households lost nearly all possessions. the estimated losses amount to over 3 trillion Sudanese pounds. “People in Tarsin Village impacted by the landslide have lost nearly all their possessions to the debris. They are in urgent need of shelter, water, food, and essential supplies,” said Abdalla Siddig, Area Manager for Alight in South Darfur.
Behind the scenes, the pressure on humanitarian workers was immense. “We faced unprecedented demands from the affected communities as resources were scarce,” recalled Guma Bashar, Alight’s Nutrition Coordinator. Due to the extreme mountainous terrain, Alight staff relied on donkeys to transport supplies. Every dose became a critical decision as we prioritized children and those who were malnourished. The urgency of the situation pushed us to work tirelessly, coordinating with our partners to ensure that no child was left without the help they desperately needed.
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