In the Gofa Zone of Ethiopia, a deadly landslide caused by days of torrential rains has left a village devastated. Retired teacher Meaza Tadelu is holding on to hope that his missing wife may still be alive, as volunteers search through the mud for survivors. Tragically, the disaster has taken the lives of hundreds of people, including Tadelu’s brother who went to help search for his wife. The death toll is expected to rise, and thousands of people in the area remain at risk.
The rescue efforts in the mountainous region have been difficult due to the lack of heavy machinery. Locals have been digging by hand to search for missing loved ones, with the help of spades and pickaxes. Families like that of Almaz Tadesae, who lost all seven of her children in the landslide, are mourning unimaginable losses. Mass funerals have been organized for the victims, with donations being collected to help those affected by the disaster. The remote village of Daly, where the tragedy occurred, highlights the ongoing poverty and lack of infrastructure in some parts of Ethiopia.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed expressed deep sadness over the disaster and sent a task force to aid in relief efforts. However, the challenges of accessing the affected areas have made the rescue operation challenging. The residents of Daly have been largely on their own in salvaging the missing, using whatever tools they can find to dig through the debris. As the search for survivors continues, the villagers remain hopeful but are also coming to terms with the possibility of tragic outcomes.
Landslides have become a common occurrence in the Greater Horn of Africa region, with experts attributing them to rapid deforestation in mountainous areas. The need for proper preventative measures has been highlighted by previous disasters, such as the 2016 landslide that Tadelu vividly remembers. Despite his efforts to alert local officials, little was done to mitigate the risks, and now he finds himself directly impacted by the latest tragedy. With his wife still missing, Tadelu and his fellow villagers continue to dig through the debris in the hopes of finding closure and potentially saving lives.
The community in Daly is coming together to support each other in the wake of the disaster, with efforts to provide aid and comfort to those affected. Despite the challenges they face, including a lack of resources and professional help, the villagers remain resilient and determined to find their missing loved ones. As the search for survivors continues, the need for ongoing support and assistance from the government and humanitarian organizations remains crucial. The people of Daly, like Tadelu, are clinging to hope as they navigate the aftermath of a tragedy that has changed their lives forever.
