Oxfam boss apologizes to Haiti over sex allegations

LONDON, Feb. 21 — Oxfam’s chief executive Mark Goldring made an
apology on Tuesday for the damage the charity has done to the people of
Haiti and the wider efforts of aid workers,.

“I make no excuses, I make an apology. My first concern is the women of
Haiti and anyone else who has been wronged,” he said before the MPs of the
parliament’s international development committee. The head of Oxfam’s
global operation Winnie Byanyima has also apologised, saying the scandal is
“shameful,” Sky news reported. Goldring is under investigation for his
handling of a sex abuse claim as MPs are questioning him about Oxfam’s aid
work in Haiti, amid allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation by staff.
Oxfam has offered its “humblest apologies” to the Haitian government over
allegations of sexual exploitation by its staff.

The apology was made as Oxfam on Monday published its 2011 internal
investigation report into allegations of sexual misconduct and other
inappropriate behaviour in Haiti. A leaked version of the report was the
centre of The Times’ news story on Feb. 9, which sparked the ongoing media
frenzy surrounding the charity. The 10-page report concluded charities
should be warned about “problem staff” – only for several accused of abuse
to successfully take up future posts in the aid sector. “We are making
this exceptional publication because we want to be as transparent as
possible about the decisions we made during this particular investigation
and in recognition of the breach of trust that has been caused,” the
charity said in a statement. “We are also meeting with the government of
Haiti to apologize for our mistakes and discuss what more we can do,
including for the women affected by these events,” it said. Earlier this
month, the Times published allegations that Oxfam aid workers in Haiti had
used prostitutes. – XINHUA