An internal report by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has found that local and foreign staff exploited refugees in Chad, targeting underage girls and trading food aid and jobs for sex.

The report, completed in July 2024 and first reported by AP on Saturday, documented 59 allegations of abuse, though MSF acknowledged the actual number is likely higher. As a result, 18 staff members were dismissed and barred from future employment.

The investigation followed an AP exposé in November 2024 revealing that Sudanese women in Chad were offered jobs and assistance in exchange for sex by aid workers and security forces.

In one case, seven refugee girls hired as daily workers were taken in an MSF vehicle to a location where they were subjected to sexual abuse and demands for sex, instead of the advertised water distribution site.

MSF admitted that despite allocating extra resources to prevent abuse in Chad, the measures did not have a lasting impact. The organization called the findings a "candid internal analysis."

Some survivors remained silent fearing loss of aid, while those who spoke up did not receive subsequent help. MSF pledged to improve prevention through confidential reporting channels.

Source: www.aljazeera.com