Investigation reveals staff exploitation within humanitarian organization in Chad
In recent years, the humanitarian sector has grappled with serious allegations of misconduct, revealing vulnerabilities within organizations that are meant to offer support to those in need. A new internal report by the humanitarian aid group Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has uncovered troubling instances of exploitation among refugees in Chad, serving as a stark reminder of the necessity for robust safeguards in crisis response settings. As MSF strives to learn from its failures, the focus now shifts to restoring trust and enhancing protections for vulnerable populations.
An internal report from the humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has revealed alarming instances of abuse involving both local and foreign staff against refugees in Chad. The report, completed in July 2025, but first reported by ZezapTV on Saturday, outlines 59 allegations of misconduct, including sexual exploitation, with many victims being underage girls. These findings follow an earlier investigation that highlighted similar issues faced by Sudanese women seeking refuge in Chad, where aid workers and local security forces offered employment and assistance in exchange for sexual favors.
MSF acknowledged the impact of muted voices within the refugee community, noting that many survivors were reluctant to come forward, leading to concerns that actual numbers of abuse may exceed reported cases. As a consequence, the organization has dismissed 18 individuals involved and barred them from future employment. The report points to systemic failures within the organization’s operations in a setting that has seen hundreds of thousands of Sudanese displaced due to a prolonged civil war, which has already claimed numerous lives.
In response to these serious allegations, MSF stated that it had allocated additional resources to combat potential abuse within its operations in Chad, including staff training. Nevertheless, the report conveys that these measures have not yielded the desired impact on preventing misconduct.
Characterizing its findings as a “candid internal analysis,” MSF expressed deep regret for the harm inflicted upon vulnerable populations through what it termed “serious breaches” of the organization’s values. MSF initiated the investigation in 2024, discovering that numerous Sudanese refugees, along with some local Chadian MSF staff, faced exploitation and violence.
The report details harrowing accounts, including incidents of female refugees, including minors, who were subjected to sexual exploitation under the pretense of job offers. One particularly distressing case involved seven refugee girls, who were falsely promised work but ultimately were taken to an unknown location, culminating in sexual abuse. Many victims expressed fears of losing access to essential aid if they reported the incidents, further complicating efforts to bring perpetrators to justice.
Recognizing the expansive nature of the refugee crisis, MSF has stated that tracking every individual involved remains an ongoing challenge. The organization is now working to enhance its measures for preventing and detecting abuse, which includes implementing confidential reporting channels for survivors.
Similar allegations have emerged in the past, underscoring the persistent challenges faced within the sector, including during the 2021 Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Moving forward, it is imperative that organizations like MSF prioritize the protection of vulnerable populations and instigate reforms that uphold accountability and restore faith in humanitarian aid efforts.
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