**Doctors Without Borders Investigation Reveals Staff Exploitation of Refugees in Chad**
An internal investigation by the humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières, MSF) has uncovered serious allegations of exploitation by both local and foreign staff against refugees in Chad. The report, completed in July 2025 but made public recently, details instances of abuse, including the targeting of underage girls and the trading of food aid and employment for sexual favors.
The findings come in the wake of an earlier investigation by the Associated Press in November 2024, which highlighted the plight of Sudanese women seeking refuge in Chad. These women reported being coerced into sexual relationships with aid workers and local security personnel in exchange for jobs and assistance. The ongoing civil war in Sudan has led to a massive influx of refugees into eastern Chad, where hundreds of thousands have been displaced and thousands have lost their lives.
In its internal report, MSF acknowledged 59 allegations of misconduct, emphasizing that the true number of cases may be higher due to the reluctance of survivors to come forward. The organization has since dismissed 18 staff members implicated in these abuses and has barred them from future employment with MSF.
The report describes a range of misconduct, including sexual harassment and exploitation, which it characterizes as a serious violation of MSF's core values and responsibilities. The organization expressed deep regret over the harm caused to vulnerable populations, particularly the Sudanese refugees.
MSF stated that the investigation revealed systematic issues within its operations in Chad, where it is one of the primary organizations providing aid to those affected by the ongoing crisis. The report highlighted specific instances of exploitation, such as a case involving seven refugee girls who were promised daily work but were instead taken to an undisclosed location where they were subjected to sexual abuse.
Despite MSF's efforts to allocate additional resources for preventing and addressing abuse, including staff training, the organization admitted that these measures have not led to lasting improvements. MSF described its findings as a "candid internal analysis" aimed at understanding where its systems failed.
The organization noted that many survivors chose to remain silent out of fear of losing access to vital aid. Those who did speak out often did not receive adequate support afterward, further complicating the situation for victims of abuse.
In response to the crisis, MSF has committed to enhancing its abuse prevention and detection strategies, including the establishment of confidential reporting channels for affected individuals. The organization acknowledged that similar allegations have arisen in other contexts, such as during the 2021 Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, indicating a broader issue within humanitarian operations.
As the situation in Chad continues to evolve, the revelations from the MSF report underscore the urgent need for accountability and reform within aid organizations to protect vulnerable populations from exploitation. The ongoing conflict in Sudan and the resulting refugee crisis highlight the critical importance of safeguarding the rights and dignity of those in need of assistance.