Oxfam admits re-hiring sacked aid worker as Desmond Tutu quits ambassador role

Desmond Tutu has quit as an ambassador of Oxfam
Patrick Grafton-Green15 February 2018

Oxfam re-hired an aid worker who had been sacked over alleged sexual misconduct months earlier, it has emerged.

The charity admitted the "serious error" shortly after Desmond Tutu quit as an ambassador, saying he is "deeply disappointed" about the recent sex scandal.

The Oxfam worker was fired over allegations in earthquake-shattered Haiti, but later re-hired as a consultant in Ethiopia.

Several staff were sacked or resigned in 2011 over a string of lurid claims, including that they had used prostitutes while delivering aid to Haiti.

Oxfam said in a statement it had identified that "one of those dismissed by Oxfam as a result of the sexual misconduct case in Haiti" was "subsequently hired by Oxfam as a consultant In Ethiopia".

Hiring the man "even in an emergency as a short-term consultant" was a "serious error and should never have happened", it continued.

It added: "We are still checking how this occurred but it further highlights that we need an organisation and sector-wide approach to the vetting and recruitment of both staff and consultants, especially in emergencies where there is pressure to fill posts quickly in order to help save lives."

The charity is now checking whether there were "any issues" while the man was posted in Ethiopia.

Meanwhile, Mr Tutu's office said in statement: "Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu has supported Oxfam International's good work for many years, most recently as one of its global ambassadors.

"The Archbishop is deeply disappointed by allegations of immorality and possible criminality involving humanitarian workers linked to the charity.

"He is also saddened by the impact of the allegations on the many thousands of good people who have supported Oxfam's righteous work."

Mr Tutu's office has now written to the charity "to inform them of his retirement as a global ambassador", the statement added.

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