In August 2025, heavy rainfall triggered a devastating landslide in Tarsin village in the Jebel Marra area of Darfur, western Sudan. According to available assessment data, the disaster killed approximately 372 people, resulted in the loss of 2,348 livestock and affected 88 surrounding villages, causing extensive damage to local infrastructure and livelihoods.
The tragedy, together with previous landslides in the region, highlighted the urgent need to better understand Sudan’s exposure to such hazards and strengthen preparedness in at-risk communities.
Mapping Urgent landslide risk across four areas
Following the Tarsin disaster, UNESCO launched a rapid scientific assessment of landslide risk in Sudan, using satellite imagery and other geospatial technologies to identify areas of exposure and support evidence-based action.
The assessment was conducted from 3 April to 31 May 2026 and covered four major areas: the Red Sea Hills, Jebel Marra Massif, Nuba Mountains and Ingasana Mountains.
The findings identified the Red Sea Hills as the area with the highest overall exposure, with more than 65,336 people living in at-risk zones. While much of Jebel Marra was assessed as comparatively stable, localised debris-flow hazards linked to heavy rainfall could affect more than 5,021 people. The Tarsin event was also used to validate the assessment model and inform the proposed action plan.
The assessment was implemented under the project “UNESCO’s Multi-Hazard and Multisectoral Disaster Response for Build Back Better”, funded by the Government of Japan, with additional support from UNESCO’s Natural Sciences Sector Emergency Fund.
