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Oxfam Suspends Haiti Staff for Misconduct
- Monday, August 08, 2011 7:36 PM
LONDON, England – Oxfam has suspended a "small number" of staff working in quake-shattered Haiti due to allegations of misconduct which the British-based charity is investigating, it said on Monday.
A press release by the organization read:
Oxfam has launched an internal investigation into allegations of misconduct against a small number of Oxfam Great Britain staff in Haiti. Staff members have been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation, which is expected to be completed by September.
Oxfam spokeswoman Jen Corlew was unable to provide details on whether international or local staff were being investigated, how many were involved or what they were alleged to have done.
"What we wanted to do is be accountable and transparent that this is going on, but unfortunately it's a bit difficult. We're not able to disclose much information until the investigation is completed," Corlew told AlertNet.
"At the moment, due to issues of security and reputational risk of individuals it's not possible to give more (information)," she added.
Oxfam Great Britain Chief Executive Barbara Stocking said, “Oxfam never tolerates misconduct by our aid workers. We will take forceful and immediate action pending the outcome of the investigation.”
“We will continue our work with poor communities and be accountable to those who need assistance in Haiti,” Stocking said.
Oxfam has been working in Haiti since 1978.
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Source: Oxfam International
, Alert Net
