More than 200 people have died as a result of terrible landslides in southern Ethiopia. In a distant mountainous area, locals scramble into the ground with their bare hands in an attempt to locate survivors.
Disaster Arises Twice
The first landslide in the Gofa zone occurred on Monday due to heavy rains. A second landslip struck as people raced to help, burying several of the rescuers. State officials report that at least 229 people have died, 148 of whom were men and 81 of whom were women.
Rescue Efforts
Alemayehu Bawdi, a representative from the Southern Regional State, confirmed the ongoing search and rescue efforts. So far, five people have been rescued and are receiving medical care. Local authorities report that many of those killed had come to aid the initial victims, including community leaders and professionals.
በጎፋ ዞን ገዜ ጎፋ ወረዳ ኬንቾ ሻቻ ጎዝዲ ቀበሌ ድንገተኛ የመሬት ናዳ አደጋ የበርካታ ዜጎቻችንን ሕይወት ቀጥፏል። በደረሰው አስከፊ ጉዳት የተሰማኝን ጥልቅ ሀዘን እገልጻለሁ።
አደጋውን ተከትሎ የፌዴራል የአደጋ መከላከል ግብረ-ሀይል በአካባቢው…— Abiy Ahmed Ali 🇪🇹 (@AbiyAhmedAli) July 23, 2024
The Scene of Devastation
Hundreds of people have gathered at the landslide site. Images shared by state-affiliated media show desperate residents using their hands to dig through the mud. Without earth-moving equipment, the rescue efforts are slow and perilous, as there are no roads, only narrow and muddy footpaths leading to the village.
Past and present challenges
This region, part of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region (SNNPR), about 320 km southwest of Addis Ababa, has a history of such natural disasters. In 2018, similar landslides claimed 32 lives. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that recent seasonal rains had caused flooding and displaced thousands, further complicating the situation.
Ongoing Struggles
The landslides have occurred amid severe drought in other parts of Ethiopia, pushing traditional herding communities to seek new food sources. Millions face malnutrition due to climate challenges. The UN estimates that $3 billion is needed for humanitarian aid, but funding has been insufficient.
Community Response
Despite the dire circumstances, the local community is resilient. Men continue to dig for survivors, while women and children offer support and prayers. With no immediate aid in sight, their only option is to persist in their efforts, hoping to find their loved ones alive.
The Ethiopian government and international agencies are working to provide aid and stabilise the region, but the road to recovery will be long and arduous.
Inputs by Agencies
Image Source: Multiple Source
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