r/doctorswithoutborders • u/jay_in_the_pnw • 16h ago
Switzerland freezes $1.52 million in funding to MSF following reports of at least 59 cases of staff sexually abusing Sudanese refugees in exchange for aid.
Switzerland suspends MSF funding after reports of sexual exploitation
The humanitarian organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is accused of failing to adequately inform the Swiss authorities of the scale of reports of sexual misconduct by MSF staff in Chad. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has now suspended funding of CHF1.25 million ($1.52 million) to MSF.
The frozen amount represents one tranche of the CHF6.25 million pledged to MSF for the current year.
According to the newspaper NZZ Am Sonntag, an internal investigation by MSF revealed 59 reports of sexual violence and exploitation, particularly involving women and young girls who are refugees from neighbouring Sudan. Eighteen staff members have been dismissed, including six employees from the NGO’s Swiss branch.
The NZZ explains that this constitutes “widespread sexual exploitation”, adding: “Money, jobs or humanitarian aid in exchange for sex: staff members are alleged to have taken advantage of the distress of refugee women and girls”.