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OXFAM IRELAND HAS sent an email to people who pay monthly direct debits to it reassuring them that its branch wasn’t involved in the recent Haiti sex worker scandal involving Oxfam UK workers.
The charity has come under intense pressure over the past week after an investigation by The Times found young sex workers were hired by senior staff in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake which devastated the island and left up to 300,000 people dead.
The deputy chief executive of the UK branch resigned on Monday over the charity’s handling of the scandal.
Yesterday evening, people who pay monthly direct debits to Oxfam Ireland received a statement from Oxfam Ireland’s chief executive, Jim Clarken, stressing that he feels “deep shame in the behaviour of those who failed to uphold our values”.
Clarken said that the behaviour of some staff employed by Oxfam UK in Haiti 2011 was “totally unacceptable”.
“We want to make it very clear – we completely condemn any form of abuse against the people we work to protect and support,” he said.
It was revealed in The Times’ report that groups of young prostitutes were invited to homes and guesthouses paid for by the charity for sex parties, according to one source who claimed to have seen footage of an orgy with sex workers wearing Oxfam t-shirts.
Clarken stressed that no Irish employees were involved in the scandal.
No staff employed by Oxfam Ireland were involved in these cases and they did not involved the misuse of public funds. All of the money you helped raise for Haiti was spent as planned on the relief response to the 2010 earthquake.
“Oxfam Ireland has a zero-tolerance approach to sexual misconduct and will not stand for any kind of harassment of staff, partners, volunteers or those we serve,” Clarken said.
“It is my priority to ensure that our staff, volunteers and the people we work for are safe and valued.”
He reached out to those who have signed up to pay monthly direct debits to Oxfam Ireland, noting that while the recent news may have broken trust, the charity will work towards rebuilding relationships with its supporters.
I feel great responsibility in the trust that you place in us and I know that this awful situation may have damaged that. We promise to continue to be open and transparent and rebuild any trust lost.
“I want to ensure you that this incident does not represent Oxfam or what we stand for. The deplorable actions of a small number of people will not stop the vital work against poverty and injustice worldwide that you contribute to every day,” Clarken said.
Deepening scandal
The British government warned today that it would cut off ties with foreign aid charities that cover up sex scandals.
“Unless you report every serious incident or allegation, no matter how damaging to your reputation — we cannot be partners,” Britain’s International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt told a conference in Stockholm, according to extracts of her speech released by her ministry.
“The same message goes out to any organisation or partner which receives UK aid. We want procedures to change. We want leaders to lead with moral authority and we want staff to be held accountable,” she said.
An Oxfam spokesperson in the UK said the aid agency had received 1,270 cancellations of donations by direct debit between Saturday and Monday — compared to a normal monthly average of 600.
With reporting by AFP.
He’s an incredible athlete.
The country is proud.
The arrogance from the RTE studio prior to race was stomach churning, “he’s going to blow them out of the water”, “this is really about 2nd and third”, he’s going for the world record etc etc, no respect for the other athletes. Reminded me of how we were going to win the rugby world cup according to some. A little humility seems to be scarce in Ireland when the economy is booming. Wiffin is a class athlete, is olympic champion and why RTE surround him with their arrogance I don’t know and does him no favours or service.
@Eddie Garvey: Well said.
@ecrowley ecrowley: OMG Eddie you couldn’t have put it better
@Eddie Garvey: I remember when people used to give out the British media.A little bit of success and we show some horrible tendencies of arrogance.
@Eddie Garvey: thought rte where going to blow their trousers the way they where going on….its sport anything can happen and may the best man win
@Eddie Garvey: RTE us a pathetic and egotistical entity that’s recently been effectively given a massive bailout. they’re unaccountable, Kevin doesnt give a rip about the Irish people, there was no major demonstration held to oppose them.
How are we supposed to stop an organisation like them if people are so docile? people need to wake up and accept that they’re as bad as the bbc.
@Eddie Garvey: It makes no difference to him as it is nothing to do with him. Some of the pundits/commentators are delusional but you seem to get that with the broadcaster from every country. They can see nobody else other than their guy. It’s not unique to Ireland. What does the economy have to do with anything also? lol.
@John Moore: with rte its pure dung…they had him to win before the race started…i wouldnt listen to them at all cause in a day they will put u in jail for not paying d tv license
@Eddie Garvey: Spot on Eddie ,they totally lost the run of themselves ,I’m old enough to remember a time at Olympics when we were grateful that none of our Swimmers drowned .
@Eddie Garvey: Well said Eddie. Tge commentators now are beginning to sound like the brits at every major tournament. It’s disgusting
Fantastic athlete! Onwards & Upwards!! #COYBIG!
A bit of humility will serve him well : if he matures he will double gold in LA
@Sergio Reddan: ‘Humility’ The buzz word of the night in some quarters. The meaning of which … the feeling or attitude that you have no special importance that makes you better than others…. The kinda attitude that makes World & Olympic champions for sure…
@Sergio Reddan: Confidence is what Irish Athletes need. The 100 maters men’s final was brimming with it last night. You have to believe in yourself, and Daniel and Rhys have it in spades. Stop the put downs. A Bronze in the Olympics games is magic.
Before dressing this article, I was thinking the same.
The two most dangerous expressions in sport are ‘it’s in the bag ” or “it’ll be a walkover”. He’s young enough to learn from this.
I wonder if the result would have been different if his coach hadn’t gone home earlier.
@Paul Moore.
Daniel is an amazing athlete. You think he has done something wrong with having self belief. He won Bronze, and that is no mean thing.
His confidence and belief in his own ability is so refreshing in an Irish Athlete.
The albatross will rise again for sure.
@Phillip Smyth: You’re really determined for him to be called The Albatross
@Don Johnson: love to see him swimming to that tune by Fleetwood Mac.
@Phillip Smyth: you seem to be worryingly obsessed with him to be honest, all day yesterday and now this morning
Legend
Will never win the 1500m as long as Finke keeps competing
@Means Of Escape: What. He’s 31, Daniel is only 23, and his time will come. If only the Irish can have some belief in our athletes and stop the knocking.
@Annette: Bobby Finke is 24 – he led from the off point.
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