(April 9, 2021) The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) halted funding to Oxfam GB after reports surfaced of a sexual misconduct investigation, just a month after the UK government re-stated its funding to Oxfam GB because of prior sexual misconduct charges during its operations in Haiti.
In 2019, the UK Charity Commission reviewed thousands of pieces of evidence related to allegations that Oxfam had covered up its investigation into staff paying for sex while working on the response to the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.
“What went wrong in Haiti did not happen in isolation. Our inquiry demonstrates that, over a period of years, Oxfam’s internal culture tolerated poor behaviour, and at times lost sight of the values it stands for,” Helen Stephenson, chief executive of the Charity Commission, said at the time.
Now, Oxfam GB is investigating further claims of sexual misconduct, this time in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Guardian reported on April 8 that, “Oxfam has been active in the DRC since 1961, with its work focused primarily on humanitarian projects such as providing long-term access to clean drinking water.”
Oxfam GB issued a statement last week confirming “we have suspended two members of Oxfam staff in the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of an ongoing external investigation, which we set up last November, into allegations of abuses of power, including bullying and sexual misconduct. The Charity Commission were notified at the start of the investigation and we have kept them informed about its progress.
“We are acutely aware of our duty to survivors, including in supporting them to speak out safely. We are working hard to conclude the investigation fairly, safely and effectively.”
Upon FCDO’s move to halt funding, Oxfam GB issued a second statement saying, “The steps we are taking in the Democratic Republic of Congo reflect our commitment to tackle abuses of power. We are aware of the FCDO statement and are seeking further information. The Charity Commission and FCDO have been notified appropriately and we will continue to keep them informed as the investigation concludes its work.”
The second round of controversy regarding sexual misconduct on Oxfam GB’s watch could further diminish the public’s trust in charities.
According to Edelman PR’s 21st Trust Barometer Report, of the 27 countries reporting, trust in NGOs decreased in 11 of them. NGOs (non-governmental organizations) include nonprofit organizations and charities, including the US, the UK and Canada.
When contacted by The Charity Report, an Oxfam Canada spokesperson had nothing to add to Oxfam’s GB’s statement, re-iterating, “We can confirm we have suspended two members of Oxfam staff in the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of an ongoing external investigation, which we set up last November, into allegations of abuses of power, including bullying and sexual misconduct. The Charity Commission were notified at the start of the investigation and we have kept them informed about its progress.
“We are acutely aware of our duty to survivors, including in supporting them to speak out safely. We are working hard to conclude the investigation fairly, safely and effectively.”
Edelman PR concluded its report by saying, “Trust remains the most important currency in lasting relationships between the [businesses, NGOs, media and governments] studied and their various stakeholders. Particularly in times of turbulence and volatility, trust is what hold society together and where growth rebuilds and rebounds. Every institution must play its part in restoring society and emerging from information bankruptcy.”
When The Charity Report asked whether Oxfam Canada has any procedures or protocols in place to ensure this doesn’t happen in the projects it funds, an Oxfam spokesperson said, “you can find all our work and commitments in place regarding safeguarding here,” and supplied the following web link :https://www.oxfam.ca/how-oxfam-canada-keeps-people-safe/
A recent public opinion poll by Proof Communications, which runs the CanTrust index, showed a 6% decline for the non-profit and charity sector in Canada from May to September 2020.
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