Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has announced that several of its staff were implicated in a sex‑for‑food abuse scandal involving at least 59 Sudanese refugees who fled civil war and sought safety in eastern Chad.
The allegations revolve around the exchange of sexual favors for food or employment and were documented in a camp setting. Victims—many young girls—reported fears that speaking up could lead to retaliation, including cuts to essential aid.
MSF says it has fired 18 alleged perpetrators, but admits other offenders remain unidentified. The internal review also identified patterns that might constitute sexual trafficking.
The case underscores the persistent risks faced by humanitarian workers and the lack of effective complaint mechanisms in conflict zones. With over 11 million people displaced and 28 million facing acute hunger, the broader Sudanese conflict remains a severe humanitarian crisis.
Experts point to the weaponization of sexual violence in war and the imperative for international humanitarian actors to protect vulnerable populations.
