2/26/2018 Aid Group Answers Questions About Sexual Wrongdoing

AS IT IS

Aid Group Answers Questions About Sexual Wrongdoing

February 20, 2018

e head of Oxfam says the British aid group is investigating 26 new reports of sexual
wrongdoing by its workers.

Mark Goldring spoke before Britain’s parliament Tuesday. He answered questions about the
behavior of Oxfam workers on the Caribbean island of Haiti.

He said, “I am sorry, we are sorry, for the damage Oxfam has done both to the people of Haiti
but also to wider e orts for aid and development by possibly undermining public support.”

Goldring said 26 cases have come forward. He said 16 of them were linked to the group’s
international programs. He also said Oxfam wants people to report abuse wherever and
whenever it took place.

British lawmakers questioned Goldring about accusations against the Oxfam workers. ey
have been accused of paying Haitians for sex in 2011. Oxfam was involved in aid operations
there following a hugely destructive earthquake on the island. At least 100,000 people were
killed and even more displaced by the event.

Oxfam released a report on the issue on Monday. It said seven people were accused of paying
for sex at a home provided by Oxfam. e report did not release the names of the accused.
However, it said three of them had threatened a witness in the investigation.

Four sta members were dismissed for gross misconduct. e Oxfam director in Haiti, Roland
Van Hauwermeiren, resigned along with two others.

Last week, Oxfam formally apologized to Haiti. e organization also announced a plan to
ght sex abuse.

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Oxfam said Friday it would set up an independent commission to study the group’s methods
and culture.

British lawmakers also questioned o cials from Save the Children UK. ey voiced concerns
that sex criminals were targeting such aid organizations.

Oxfam says it plans to develop a new system for vetting possible workers.

e reports of sexual wrongdoing have caused Britain and the European Union to reconsider
support for Oxfam.

Haitian President Jovenel Moise has called for investigations of other charitable organizations
on the island.

Oxfam is among the world’s biggest aid organizations.

I’m Mario Ritter.

Wayne Lee reported this story for VOA News. Mario Ritter adapted it for VOA Learning
English with additional material from AP and Reuters. Caty Weaver was the editor.

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Words in is Story

undermine –v. to make something weak or less e ective in a hidden way

gross –adj. very great, very large

misconduct –n. bad behavior

vet –v. to investigate someone to see if they can be approved for a job

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charitable –adj. related to charity, giving to the poor, sick or needy

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