Death Toll Rises from Landslides in Southern Ethiopia

The death toll from catastrophic landslides in southern Ethiopia has surpassed 250, with the United Nations warning it could reach as high as 500. The landslides, which struck the Gofa Zone over the weekend, are now considered the deadliest in the country’s history. Local authorities have reported that thousands of individuals have been affected, prompting urgent calls for evacuation to safer areas. The UN’s humanitarian agency, OCHA, highlighted the critical situation, noting that among those at risk are over 1,320 children under five years old and more than 5,293 pregnant and lactating women. The agency emphasized the need for immediate action, as the affected populations face the threat of additional landslides. In response, the Ethiopian government is reportedly finalizing an evacuation plan to safeguard those in danger. In the aftermath of the disaster, residents and volunteers have been tirelessly searching through the debris for survivors. Emotional scenes have emerged, such as residents of Kencho Shacha Gozdi embracing after long days of excavation efforts. The community's resilience is evident as they come together in the face of tragedy. Ethiopia is particularly vulnerable to landslides during the rainy season, as geological surveys indicate. Recent months have seen heavy rains causing floods that have displaced thousands, further complicating the humanitarian situation in the region, according to a report from OCHA last month.