Sexual scandal in Haiti: the European Commission threatens to cut off Oxfam from its funding

Sexual scandal in Haiti: the European Commission threatens to cut off Oxfam from its funding

The European Commission ordered Oxfam managers Monday “to shed full light” on the implication of members of the NGO in a sexual scandal in Haiti, and threatened to cut off its funding. “We are prepared to stop funding organizations which do not respect the rules of ethics,” announced a spokesperson of the European administration, in charge of the significant financial support granted by the European Union for the purpose of humanitarian aid..

UK Oxfam received 1.7 million euros from European funding in 2011, which is the date of the reproachable acts, indicated the spokesperson. “We are waiting for the organization to shed light urgently, in all transparency” on this case, she warned.

Some NGO managers are accused of having hired young prostitutes in Haiti in 2011 during a mission following the quake that had ravaged the country in 2010.

“The European Commission expects its partners to respect the rules of ethics, and to observe a zero tolerance regarding the alleged abuse committed by organizations which benefit from its funding,” declared the spokesperson.

Oxfam, a confederation of humanitarian organizations based in the UK, has assured that it immediately launched an in-house inquiry in 2011. Four employees were dismissed and three resigned before the end of this investigation, ensured Oxfam.


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