In brief
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) admitted that at least 59 Sudanese refugees were sexually abused by staff in eastern Chad during 2024. Young girls were coerced into sex for food or jobs, and victims feared losing aid if they reported the abuse. MSF fired 18 staff members but could not identify all perpetrators. The incident adds to widespread allegations of sexual exploitation among humanitarian workers worldwide and follows a pattern of sexual trafficking identified by MSF. The scandal underscores the urgent need for stronger safeguards in crisis zones.
MSF Staff Accused of Sexual Abuse in Chad
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) admits that at least 59 Sudanese refugees were sexually abused by its staff in eastern Chad during 2024, about a year into Sudan’s ongoing civil war that has displaced millions.
According to the organisation’s internal report, victims included young girls and were often exploited in exchange for food, accommodation or job offers. Many chose silence, fearing retaliation that would deny them vital aid.
MSF has fired 18 employees, but it says it could not locate all alleged perpetrators. The organisation also found patterns that may meet the definition of sexual trafficking.
A statement from MSF brands the misconduct as a serious breach of its values and expresses regret for the harm caused.
These revelations follow a broader pattern of sexual exploitation documented among humanitarian workers worldwide, despite commitments to end such abuse.
The incidents unfold against the backdrop of Sudan’s civil war, which began three years ago, leading to more than 11 million displaced persons and 28 million facing acute hunger.
Mass sexual violence remains a weapon of war in the conflict, affecting men, women and children, including infants.
The international community faces the challenge of ensuring safety and accountability for aid workers while protecting vulnerable populations.
