Aid Workers Accused of Sexual Exploitation in Refugee Camps in Chad

International Desk: PNN

Serious allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse have been made against several local and international employees of the humanitarian aid organization Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières – MSF) working in refugee camps in Chad. The allegations were revealed in an internal investigation report, according to the Associated Press (AP).

According to the report, multiple complaints were received alleging that refugees—particularly women and underage girls—were pressured into providing sexual favors in exchange for food assistance, work opportunities, or employment.

Although 59 complaints have been formally documented, investigators believe the actual number of incidents may be significantly higher.

MSF stated that following the investigation, at least 18 local and international staff members were dismissed from their positions and permanently barred from working for the organization in the future.

The organization’s internal report explained that thousands of refugees who fled conflict in neighboring Sudan are currently living in camps in eastern Chad and depend heavily on humanitarian assistance. It is alleged that some aid workers abused this vulnerability and exploited their positions of authority.

Investigators found that, in some cases, underage girls were also subjected to sexual exploitation. One reported incident involved several teenage girls who were allegedly taken to another location under the pretense of employment opportunities and then exposed to inappropriate and exploitative situations.

MSF acknowledged that it had previously attempted to address similar allegations and had established reporting mechanisms for victims. However, those systems were not always effective. Many victims were reportedly reluctant to come forward due to fears of losing access to humanitarian assistance.

In a statement, the organization described the incidents as completely contrary to its values and principles. MSF pledged to strengthen its complaint-handling procedures and monitoring systems in order to prevent similar abuses in the future.

According to analysts, such allegations raise serious questions about the credibility of humanitarian aid operations, particularly in conflict-affected regions where refugees are entirely dependent on assistance for survival.