Pope Leo XIV Calls for Urgent Humanitarian Aid Following Devastating Sudan Landslide

In a heartfelt appeal during his weekly audience at St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday, Pope Leo XIV urged the international community to provide immediate humanitarian assistance to Sudan, a nation grappling with a catastrophic landslide and ongoing civil unrest.

The Pope expressed deep sorrow over the recent disaster in the village of Tarasin, located in Sudan’s Marrah Mountains. The landslide, triggered by days of heavy rainfall, has reportedly claimed over 1,000 lives, leaving only one known survivor. This tragedy stands as one of the deadliest natural disasters in Sudan’s recent history

“Dramatic news is coming out of Sudan, particularly Darfur, in El Fasher, where numerous civilians are trapped in the city, victims of famine and violence,” the Pope stated. He highlighted the compounded suffering caused by the spread of cholera, which threatens hundreds of thousands already exhausted by conflict and displacement.

Sudan has been engulfed in a brutal civil war since April 2023, primarily between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced over 14 million people. Darfur, in particular, has been severely affected, with many areas becoming inaccessible to humanitarian aid due to ongoing violence.

The Pope called for a “serious, sincere, and inclusive dialogue” between the warring parties to end the conflict and restore hope, dignity, and peace to the people of Sudan. He emphasized the urgent need for humanitarian corridors to deliver aid to those in desperate need.

As the international community responds to this appeal, the focus remains on providing relief to the victims of the landslide and addressing the broader humanitarian crisis unfolding in Sudan.