MSF staff abused Sudanese refugees in sex-for-food scandal, BBC investigation finds
According to a BBC investigation, some staff working for Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) demanded sex in exchange for distributing aid to women fleeing Sudan's civil war. MSF said an external investigation has been opened and some staff have been suspended.
According to a BBC investigation, dozens of women who fled Sudan's civil war said they had been pressured into sex in exchange for food by some staff working for MSF during aid distribution. The BBC said it documented the allegations through recordings, camp officials and former staff statements.
MSF said the allegations were "extremely serious", that an independent commission would investigate and that several staff had been suspended. The organisation said a channel had been opened to contact former victims.
The UN refugee agency and other humanitarian organisations called for tougher protection standards across the sector. Sudanese officials and authorities in neighbouring countries hosting refugees demanded a joint monitoring mechanism to follow up the allegations.
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