Oxfam Haiti sex scandal a ‘global problem’ within aid industry, former UN worker says
Among the allegations is that the head of Oxfam in Haiti had “wild sex parties” with multiple sex workers.
Aid agencies Save the Children, the British Red Cross and Christian Aid have also confirmed reports of inappropriate sexual behaviour involving their staff.
In a shocking incident of whistle blowing that has grabbed international headlines, allegations of sexual exploitation has been leveled at major international aid groups.
The prostitution scandal engulfing international aid charity Oxfam is a symptom of a “global problem” in the aid industry, a former senior UN aid worker has said. Oxfam is battling the fallout from revelations that its staff engaged sex workers while delivering aid after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.
Over what is described as the charity organisation’s failure to respond to repeated allegations in the past, the deputy chief Penny Lawrence has resigned.
Aid agencies Save the Children, the British Red Cross and Christian Aid have also confirmed reports of inappropriate sexual behaviour involving their staff.
The UN said last year there were 145 cases of sexual exploitation involving 311 victims reported within peacekeeping in 2016 alone.
The President of Haiti has condemned Oxfam’s handling of a sex scandal in his country, describing the controversy as a “serious violation of human dignity”.
President Jovenel Moise last night described the aid workers who are alleged to have exchanged “aid for sex” as “sexual predators”, amid reports that the country is preparing to launch a criminal investigation.
