 has expressed serious concern over the report alleging sexual exploitation by aid workers.){kind=link}
The head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has expressed serious concern over the report alleging sexual exploitation by aid workers.
The UN says sexual related violence and exploitation in South Sudan remains a concern and will be thoroughly investigated and those involved will face justice.
The alleged sex abuse by aid workers was unchecked for years in UN-run South Sudan camps. Accroding to the report, people sexually exploiting and abusing women are the very people meant to serve and protect them.
Accounts of sexual abuse by aid workers at a UN-run camp in South Sudan first surfaced in 2015, but have recently increased, an investigation by The New Humanitarian and Al Jazeera found.
Nicholas Haysom, head of UNMISS in South Sudan says the UN has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and will ensure staff involved are punished.
“We re-assure that, UN system has long maintained zero tolerance policy for sexual exploitation and abuse,” Mr. Haysom stated.
Mr. Haysom says sexual exploitation and abuse by UN Humanitarian workers is a betrayal of trust of vulnerable populations.
Nichols Haysom says UNMISS is strengthening its mandate towards justice change in each state by supporting accountability.
He states that UNMISS will support mobile courts and court martials to focus on criminal investigation and enhance the capacity to address crimes that jeopardize peace.
“The mission will provide justice change in each state and enhance capacity to address crimes that will destabilize peace,” Haysom stated.
Media reports indicated accounts of sex abuse committed by UN Aid workers in Malakal camp. Some residents at the Protection of Civilians Sites (PoCs) said sexual exploitation continues to happen on a daily basis and is mostly committed by UN humanitarian workers.