United Kingdom: Oxfam vice-president resigns

The Association of Relief organizations responds to accusations that employees met with prostitutes. The EU is considering to remove Oxfam's subsidies.

United Kingdom: Oxfam vice-president resigns

Oxfam vice-president Penny Lawrence has resigned after reports of parties by Oxfam employees with prostitutes in Haiti and Chad. She is taking "full responsibility" for behavior of employees to whom "we have not responded appropriately," Lawrence said.

Lawrence has been working for Oxfam in UK since 2006. She was initially International programme director for teams in several countries. Oxfam is an international Association of Auxiliary and Development organizations.

On Friday, British newspaper The Times reported that Oxfam employees had met with prostitutes during ir deployment after Haiti earthquake in 2010. The article refers to an internal Oxfam investigation report of 2011. The parties refore took place in a villa rented by Oxfam, but Oxfam funds were not used apart from that. On Sunday, Observer's British Weekly Bulletin reported that in Chad 2006 repeatedly suspected prostitutes had been invited to House of Oxfam team.

The EU commission threatened relief organisation with elimination of financial support. In case of allegations of misconduct, EU authority is "zero tolerance", said a commission spokeswoman. She demanded "urgently" complete clarification of accusations.

Date Of Update: 13 February 2018, 12:03
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