Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Citizens should avoid Salah al-Din Street because anyone who approaches it is at risk of being directly targeted
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Reality is that there is a very limited retreat of the vehicles, with the occupation forces providing cover undeer fire up to Salah al-Din Street

WHO Employees Part of Congo Sex Abuse During Ebola Crisis

  • By Al Mayadeen
  • Source: Agencies
  • 29 Sep 2021 23:51
2 Min Read

Investigations revealed that more than 80 aid workers, some of whom were employed by the World Health Organization (WHO) were involved in sexual abuse and exploitation during the Congo's Ebola crisis.

  • x
  • WHO Director General speaks to a health official in Beni, DRC, on August 10, 2018
    WHO Director General speaks to a health official in Beni, DRC, on August 10, 2018

Independent investigators affiliated with the WHO launched a probe in the backdrop of sexual abuse allegations by the organization's staff in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The investigation found "clear structural failures" and "individual negligence" on part of the staff, according to a report.

The abuses were committed by locally hired personnel, as well as WHO staff sent to the country to fight the Ebola outbreak between 2018 and 2020. 

The investigation included interviews with more than 50 women who accused WHO aid workers of demanding sex in exchange for jobs, or who were victims of rape.

The commission's 35-page report, detailed "the scale of incidents of sexual exploitation and abuse in the response to the 10th Ebola outbreak, all of which contributed to the increased vulnerability of ‘alleged victims’ who were not provided with the necessary support and assistance required for such degrading experiences”.

Related News

Over 40, including children, killed in Sudan hospital attack: WHO

Half a billion adolescents could face obesity by 2030, report warns

It was found that at least 21 of the 83 suspected perpetrators were WHO employees and that these crimes, which included 9 allegations of rape, were committed by both national and international staff. 

WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press conference Tuesday that the report “makes for harrowing reading”.

"I’m sorry for the ongoing suffering that these events must cause.

I’m sorry that you have had to relive them in talking to the commission about your experiences.

Thank you for your courage in doing so"-@DrTedros https://t.co/CbCTLWbiHi

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) September 28, 2021

The investigators highlighted a “perception of impunity of the institution’s staff on the part of alleged victims”. The WHO's Director promised zero tolerence on sexual abuse, saying that it is his top priority that "the perpetrators are not excused but are held to account."

Co-chair of the investigation Aïchatou Mindaoudou revealed that some individuals at higher levels of the WHO were aware of what was going on and did not act.

It is so far not clear if the perpetrators will face prosecution. Tedros said that the rape allegations will be referred to the DRC and the countries of the suspected perpetrators, some of which have yet to be identified.

  • World Health Organization
  • WHO
  • Congo
  • Sexual abuse

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS