In the heart of the area that is suffering what is considered to be the planet's worst humanitarian disaster, flash flooding destroyed an entire village this week.
After days of heavy rain, the village of Tarasin (also Tarseen) in western Sudan was "leveled" on Sunday. Based on the population of the village, it's possible around 1,000 people died.
Pope Leo XIV spoke of the situation at the end of the general audience on September 3.
Dramatic news is coming from Sudan, in particular from Darfur. In El Fasher (Al-Fashir), many civilians have been trapped in the city, victims of famine and violence. In Tarasin, a devastating mudslide has claimed many lives, leaving pain and desperation in its wake. And, as if that were not enough, the spread of cholera is threatening hundreds of thousands of already stricken people.
I am closer than ever to the Sudanese population, in particular families, children and the displaced. I pray for all the victims. I make a heartfelt appeal to leaders and to the international community to guarantee humanitarian corridors and implement a coordinated response to stop this humanitarian catastrophe. It is time to initiate a serious, sincere, and inclusive dialogue between the parties to end the conflict and restore hope, dignity, and peace to the people of Sudan.
He also urged the faithful to pray:
I ask all of you to join me in praying for those affected by the recent mudslides in the Marra Mountains of Sudan. Let us ask the Almighty to grant eternal peace to all who have died, as well as solace and strength to their loved ones. Even in the midst of such tragedies may we never lose hope in God’s love for us.
Pope Leo also sent a message Tuesday to the Bishop Yunan Tombe Trille Kuku Andali, the bishop of El Obeid (also Al-Ubayyid, as on map below), through his Secretary of State, noting his deep sadness. "He assures everyone affected by this disaster of his spiritual closeness."
Praying especially for the eternal rest of the dead, for those who mourn their loss, and for the rescue of the many persons still missing, His Holiness offers encouragement to the civil authorities and emergency personnel in their ongoing relief efforts.
Civil war
Civil war began in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, and hasn't let up. Part of the region was declared a famine zone in early August.
It is hard to know how many people have died in the war, but an estimate is up to 150,000 people. As many as 12 million have had to flee their homes, some to the area now hit by floods.
Getting aid to the needy zones
With the region embroiled in conflict, it is difficult for aid to get to the flood-ravaged areas, or even to determine how many people died.
Antoine Gérard, the UN's deputy humanitarian co-ordinator for Sudan, told the BBC:
"We do not have helicopters, everything goes in vehicles on very bumpy roads. It takes time and it is the rainy season - sometimes we have to wait hours, maybe a day or two to cross a valley... bringing in trucks with commodities will be a challenge."
