The United Nations in Chad has initiated an internal investigation following an Associated Press (AP) report detailing allegations of sexual exploitation of Sudanese refugees, including accusations against aid workers.
The UN statement, issued days after the AP story was published, emphasized the gravity of the allegations and called for decisive actions to ensure accountability. “Refugees are already vulnerable and traumatized by the events that led them to flee their country, and under no circumstances should they be victims of abuse by those meant to help them,” said Francois Batalingaya, the UN resident and humanitarian coordinator in Chad.
The AP report highlighted claims by some Sudanese women and girls in Chad’s displacement camps, who alleged that men, including humanitarian workers and local security personnel, exploited them by offering money, jobs, and easier access to assistance in exchange for sexual favors. Such actions constitute crimes under Chadian law.
Since the outbreak of Sudan’s civil war, which has claimed over 20,000 lives, hundreds of thousands of refugees—predominantly women—have fled to Chad. Sexual exploitation during humanitarian crises is a recurring issue, with aid organizations often citing underreporting, insufficient funding, and a focus on immediate needs as barriers to addressing the problem effectively.
The UN has raised the alert level for protection against sexual exploitation to the highest level, reflecting Chad’s already high-risk status. According to an internal UN email seen by the AP, the heightened alert is designed to facilitate rapid protective measures over the next three months.
The organization has pledged to work closely with local authorities and human rights groups to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable. “Refugees’ trust in humanitarian workers is paramount,” the UN noted, urging individuals with information to come forward.
Experts have criticized such exploitation as a profound failure of the humanitarian system, stressing that those seeking safety should never face survival-driven compromises. The investigation is expected to shed light on the extent of the allegations and guide measures to prevent further abuses.
