A total of 18 MSF employees were fired due to abuses.Image: keystone
June 16, 2026, 1:35 p.mJune 16, 2026, 1:35 p.m
The aid organization Doctors Without Borders has fired several employees because of sexual harassment and attacks on Sudanese refugees. 18 former employees are no longer allowed to work with the organization.
This was announced by a spokeswoman for the Paris-based aid group. The crimes took place in eastern Chad.
As Doctors Without Borders (MSF) announced, several women and minors who had fled Sudan had made allegations against the aid organization’s staff. During an internal investigation at the end of 2024, a total of 59 allegations were made against employees, day laborers, external service providers and suppliers.
According to MSF, not all allegations could be confirmed – for example because neither the potential victim nor the alleged perpetrator could be identified. In cases where serious errors were identified, disciplinary measures were taken.
“Serious disregard for values”
“This behavior represents a serious disregard for MSF’s values and responsibilities and we sincerely regret the serious harm that has been caused,” the charity said. We are working on getting better at preventing, detecting and responding to attacks. The organization acknowledged gaps in its hiring process.
People were not sufficiently checked before they got a job. At the same time, MSF pointed out that the general conditions for emergency work with refugees also increased the risk of exploitation. Resources are limited, the population is in need of protection and the power imbalance is particularly large.
A bloody civil war has been raging in Sudan for more than three years, and more than eleven million people are on the run within the country and in neighboring countries such as Chad. (sda/dpa)