UK halts funding for Oxfam over sexual misconduct claims

The UK has halted help funding for Oxfam following allegations of sexual misconduct made in opposition to workers within the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The charity confirmed last week that two members of workers within the DRC have been suspended as a part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of abuses of energy, together with bullying and sexual misconduct.

In a press release on Wednesday night time, the Foreign Office (FCDO) mentioned: “All organisations bidding for UK aid must meet the high standards of safeguarding required to keep the people they work with safe.

“Given the most recent reports, which call into question Oxfam’s ability to meet those standards, we will not consider any new funding to Oxfam until the issues have been resolved.”

An Oxfam spokesperson mentioned the charity was conscious of the assertion and was searching for additional info, including: “The Charity Commission and FCDO have been notified appropriately and we will continue to keep them informed as the investigation concludes its work.”

Oxfam has been energetic within the DRC since 1961, with its work centered totally on humanitarian tasks similar to offering long-term entry to scrub ingesting water.

The charity has been underneath the highlight lately after the Charity Commission decided in 2019 it had not fully disclosed allegations that workers working in catastrophe zones had sexually abused youngsters.

In February, strict supervision of Oxfam by the Charity Commission had been lifted after it carried out “significant” reforms prompted by a 2019 report into conduct by its workers after the 2010 Haiti earthquake.