Earlier this year, Dr. Gaya Gamhewage, leading WHO’s efforts against sexual abuse, addressed a major scandal in Congo involving over 100 women abused during an Ebola outbreak. An internal report revealed that the WHO paid $250 to 104 victims, covering less than four months’ living expenses in a country where many survive on less than $2.15 a day.
To receive compensation, victims had to undergo training for income-generating activities, raising concerns. The total provided by WHO, $26,000, is just 1% of the $2 million survivor assistance fund. The WHO faces criticism for meshing compensation with seed money for livelihoods, labeled “perverse” by advocates like Paula Donovan.
Some victims received insufficient support; Alphonsine, pressured for sex by a WHO official, got $250 but went bankrupt. The WHO struggles to hold perpetrators accountable, with 21 staffers identified among 83 abusers during the Ebola response.
The WHO’s victim survivor package, ostensibly following expert recommendations, includes considerations like food costs in Congo and avoiding excessive cash to prevent further harm. Dr. Gamhewage acknowledges shortcomings and expresses the WHO’s commitment to seeking survivors’ input for additional support.
However, victims like Audia, impregnated during the Ebola response, received a “really insufficient” $250 after taking courses, expressing mistrust in WHO’s future crisis responses. WHO’s Congo office, with a $174 million budget, faces challenges in holding perpetrators accountable, particularly the 21 identified staff involved in the Ebola response abuse.
The WHO’s $1.5 million allocated for sexual misconduct prevention in Congo sees over half allocated to staff costs, raising concerns about prioritization [1]. As the organization grapples with addressing past abuses, the spotlight remains on ensuring effective victim support, accountability, and prevention in its future endeavors.
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