An internal Doctors Without Borders investigation found aid workers in Chad exploited refugees, including allegations involving sex-for-aid and abuse of underage girls.
An internal investigation by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has found that some local and international staff members exploited refugees in Chad, including allegations involving underage girls and the exchange of food aid or jobs for sex.
The report, completed in July last year, became public after details were reported by the Associated Press on Saturday.
According to the investigation, MSF identified 59 allegations of abuse connected to its operations in refugee camps in eastern Chad. The organisation acknowledged that the real number of incidents could be higher because many survivors were unwilling or afraid to come forward.
As a result of the findings, 18 staff members — both local and foreign employees — were dismissed and banned from future work with the humanitarian organisation.
The investigation followed earlier reporting that revealed Sudanese women seeking refuge in Chad had allegedly been offered assistance, jobs, or aid in exchange for sexual acts by aid workers and local security personnel.
Eastern Chad has received hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing Sudan’s ongoing civil war, which has entered its fourth year and caused widespread displacement and thousands of deaths.
MSF is among the largest humanitarian organisations operating in refugee camps across the region, providing medical treatment and emergency support to displaced communities.
The organisation stated in its report that it had previously introduced additional measures to prevent abuse, including staff training and protection systems. However, it admitted those efforts failed to create lasting improvements.
Humanitarian groups operating in crisis zones have increasingly faced scrutiny over safeguarding failures and misconduct allegations involving vulnerable populations dependent on aid.
Rights organisations say refugees, especially women and children, are often at greater risk of exploitation due to poverty, insecurity, displacement, and limited access to protection mechanisms.
MSF said it continues to strengthen its reporting systems and safeguarding policies to prevent further abuse and ensure accountability within its operations.
