Al Jazeera Investigative Report: Development workers engage in physical contact with refugees as assurances of assistance
Allegations of sexual harassment have surfaced against non-governmental development agency workers working in UN-run refugee camps in South Sudan. The sensational information that emerged in the investigation report published by Al Jazeera recently. It also highlighted the horrific experiences of several refugees who were subjected to harassment in asylum camps.
Malakal refugee camp in South Sudan. It is the largest refugee camp in the country run by the United Nations. The camp began operations in 2013 to shelter thousands of residents who fled their homes to escape the civil war. However, within two years there were allegations of collective harassment of refugees against the workers of non-governmental organizations. After seven years, the situation has not changed much.
Recently, an investigative report published by Qatar-based media Al Jazeera revealed the horrific picture of sexual harassment in the camp. The finger of complaint is directed at the staff of the private development agency working in the camp.
Al Jazeera reported that the investigation report was published after visiting the camp and talking to several refugees. It is said that many refugees sheltered in the Malakal refugee camp are sexually harassed almost regularly by development agency workers. The report also mentions that they never open their mouths about sexual harassment because they do not have a clear idea about it.
many of the victims of harassment said that the development workers had physical relations with them by tempting them with various gifts and additional assistance. If they don't agree, they stop helping the refugees.
The report also says that when representatives of various development organizations were contacted about sexual harassment, they said that they are carrying out various activities including raising awareness to stop sexual harassment. Apart from this, they are also presenting to the refugees what kind of behavior falls under the scope of sexual harassment. It is also claimed by various development organizations that a hotline number has been opened to report complaints.
Although there have been allegations of sexual harassment against the workers of the development organization in different countries of the world for years, the organization has not taken any significant action on the complaints of the concerned people.
