WHO Talks Transformation After Sexual Abuse in DR Congo

The suffering of survivors of sexual abuse allegedly perpetrated by World Health Organization staff during the tenth Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is going to be "the catalyst for a profound transformation" of WHO's culture, WHO Director-GeneralTedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said while announcing a Management Response Plan to address the findings of an independent commission.

The plan outlines several short-term actions, focusing on the most urgent recommendations of the independent commission. The agency will start by supporting the survivors and their families, complete ongoing investigations, launch a series of internal reviews and audits, reform its structures and culture.

Over the next 15 months, the agency will initiate an overhaul of its policies, procedures, and practices to increase safeguards against sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) in its programmes and operations.

In the field, this means the agency will provide livelihood support for victims and survivors, including more medical and psycho-social support, help them we job opportunities, and resources to potentially start a small business.

Children born as a result of these cases will also be supported, through educational grants and the covering of medical fees.