Doctors Without Borders faces scrutiny over millions in Swiss funding amid Chad abuse allegations

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is under fire for allegedly failing to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse within its operations in a refugee camp in Chad. The organization, which receives millions in funding from Switzerland's DEZA (the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation), is facing serious allegations that have cast a shadow over its humanitarian mission.

The scandal first came to light through an investigation by the Associated Press (AP), which reported on the harrowing testimonies of women fleeing the war in Sudan. These women alleged that MSF aid workers demanded sexual favors in exchange for essential aid, money, or employment. The AP's initial report was published in November 2024, but the issue gained renewed attention following a second AP investigation.

In response to the latest revelations, Doctors Without Borders published a statement confirming it had launched an internal investigation in late 2024. This probe identified a total of 59 allegations of misconduct, including sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse. The organization stated that 18 employees have been dismissed as a consequence, though it did not specify whether they were local or international staff. The full investigative report has not been made public, but the AP article indicated that minors were among the victims of exploitation, leading local representatives to try and prevent girls from interacting with MSF personnel.

This case in Chad is not an isolated incident within the humanitarian sector. It follows a pattern of scandals that have shaken organizations like Oxfam in Haiti, the WHO during an Ebola response in Congo, and UN peacekeeping missions. Doctors Without Borders has admitted to systemic failures, stating, "The existing control and reporting mechanisms failed to detect these cases early enough. We deeply regret this." The Geneva-based NGO has pledged to strengthen its safeguards against sexual exploitation and abuse and to support the victims. The affected project in Chad was reportedly funded with nearly seven million Swiss francs in taxpayer money from DEZA in 2024 and 2025.

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With the existing control and reporting mechanisms, these cases could not be detected early enough. We deeply regret this.