Sudanese women fleeing the horrors of their homeland’s civil war have traveled to Chad, seeking refuge only to encounter new challenges more dangerous than the violence they left behind. Reports have surfaced of widespread sexual exploitation within the refugee camps, with humanitarian workers and local security forces among those accused of preying on vulnerable individuals desperate for aid and assistance. The heartbreaking stories of these women reveal not only their suffering but also the gaps and failures within the aid community meant to protect them.
A 27-year-old mother, cradling her seven-week-old baby, shared her harrowing experience with The Associated Press, stating her child’s father was an aid worker who promised her money for sex. “The children were crying. We ran out of food,” she explained, reflecting on how her dire situation led her to make such grave choices. Her fears of retribution compelled her to seek anonymity, underscoring the stigma and shame often associated with sexual exploitation.
Braving the treacherous path from Sudan to Chad, hundreds of thousands of individuals—predominantly women and children—have entered the camps to escape relentless violence. This surge of refugees follows intense fighting and the deaths of over 20,000 people since the onset of the civil war. Once settled, many of these women find themselves forced to negotiate their dignity just to survive, trading sexual favors for basic needs such as food and medical care.
Reports indicate this pattern of exploitation is prevalent among individuals who have ostensibly pledged to protect these vulnerable populations. Humanitarian workers and local police—who are expected to provide safety—are instead accused of exploiting their power. Daral-Salam Omar, a Sudanese psychologist, noted, “They were psychologically destroyed. Imagine a woman getting pregnant without a husband amid this situation,” emphasizing the severity of the trauma faced by the women who turn to her for help.
The United Nations and various humanitarian organizations, including Doctors Without Borders (known by its French acronym, MSF), have pointed to the challenges they face when addressing sexual exploitation during crises. Nidhi Kapur, who specializes in preventing such abuses, described this exploitation as embodying “a deep failure by the aid community.” Much of the struggle lies not only with awareness and reporting among the refugees but also with resource allocation; organizations often prioritize immediate physical needs over addressing the underlying issues of exploitation.
U.N. agencies claim to have mechanisms such as feedback boxes and hotlines to help victims report abuse confidentially. Yet, many women from Sudan have expressed ignorance about these resources, fearing backlash if they were to report abuses. The refugee mother who shared her story admitted she was terrified of the aid worker turning her over to the police if she spoke out.
Despite promising initiatives aimed at safeguarding women, such as specially designated safe spaces within displacement camps, the reality is far from reassuring. The Sudanese mother informed The AP of her trade with the aid worker: he would give her cash, amounting to about $12, each time she slept with him. These interactions, she revealed, continued for months until the arrival of the new child prompted him to reduce his financial support.
Other women have shared similar accounts, with some stating they were solicited by men claiming to work for MSF, offering jobs based on sexual favors. Both refused, illustrating the precarious position of those vying for scarce employment opportunities. Christopher Lockyear, MSF's secretary general, acknowledged the claims and committed to investigating the matter thoroughly. He affirmed, “asking for money or sex in exchange for access to care or a job is a clear violation of our behavioral commitments.”
Nevertheless, the organization has yet to disclose how many complaints of this nature have emerged among the Sudanese population inside Chad. Lockyear mentioned the stark reality of abuse globally, noting out of 714 complaints against MSF staff last year—264 were confirmed cases involving sexual exploitation and abuse of power. This stark finding raises alarm bells over the capabilities of aid organizations to maintain ethical practices.”
Integrated refugee support’s intricacies become apparent through first-hand accounts from women who have fled violence only to confront new threats. Each story reveals layers of emotional and psychological trauma inflicted not only by the initial displacement but also by the predatory behavior they encounter. With many fearing the stigma of being exploited, silence often becomes their only refuge.
The situation calls for urgent action and accountability from humanitarian agencies to uphold their intended purpose of aiding and protecting the most vulnerable. Discussions surrounding sexual exploitation during humanitarian crises should not only focus on surface-level solutions but must also involve re-evaluations of how aid is administered and how those on the ground can be held accountable.
These women—and countless others like them—have not only survived one battle but continue to fight against the indignities of exploitation as they seek safe refuge. The voices of the marginalized must be elevated, demanding transparency, safety, and dignity be afforded to all individuals, regardless of their circumstance.
