A group of women in Congo who were sexually abused or exploited by officials working to stop the Ebola outbreak have received $250 each from the World Health Organization (WHO), according to internal documents obtained by The Associated Press.
The payments are part of a “complete package” of support that the WHO says it offers to the victims, including training courses to help them start income-generating activities. However, some critics have called the payments “perverse” and insufficient to compensate for the harm done by the abusers.
The AP reported last year that more than 100 women and girls in Congo had accused WHO staffers and other aid workers of sexual misconduct during the 2018-2020 Ebola outbreak, which killed more than 2,200 people. The allegations ranged from unwanted sexual advances to rape and forced pregnancies.
The WHO has acknowledged that the abuse happened and has promised to hold the perpetrators accountable. It has also set up a $2 million “survivor assistance fund” for victims of sexual misconduct, primarily in Congo. So far, only about 1% of that fund has been paid out to the victims.
The women who received the payments told the AP that the money was hardly enough, but they wanted justice even more. They said they wanted the abusers to be punished and to provide for the children they fathered.
At least one woman who said she was sexually exploited and impregnated by a WHO doctor negotiated a compensation deal that included a plot of land and health care. The doctor also agreed to pay $100 a month until the baby was born in a deal “to protect the integrity and reputation of WHO.”
The WHO has not disclosed how many of its staff members were involved in the abuse or what actions it has taken against them. It has said it is conducting internal investigations and cooperating with local authorities.
The sex scandal in Congo is the biggest known case of sexual abuse in the U.N. health agency’s history. It has raised questions about the culture and accountability of the WHO, which is also facing criticism for its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The WHO has said it is committed to preventing and addressing sexual abuse and exploitation in its operations and to supporting the survivors. It has also said it is working to improve its policies and procedures to ensure a safe and respectful work environment for its staff and the communities it serves.
The women who were abused by the Ebola responders have shown courage and resilience in speaking out and seeking help. They hope that their voices will be heard and that their rights will be respected. They also hope that their stories will prevent such abuse from happening again in the future.
Source: AP News
