The World Health Organization says it is horrified by the findings of an inquiry into allegations of sexual abuse by staff working in the Democratic Republic of Congo during an Ebola outbreak.
The allegations came to light a year ago following an investigation by the New Humanitarian news agency and the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
Local women were allegedly plied with drinks, “ambushed” in hospitals, forced to have sex, and two became pregnant.
WHO regional director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti apologised to the women and girls who had suffered between 2018 and 2020 because of the actions of the agency’s staff and other health workers.
Independent investigators cited structural failures and individual negligence in their report.
WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the report made for harrowing reading.
He apologised, adding that the buck stopped with him and promised support, protection and justice for the victims.
Source: BBC
