ADRE, Chad — A 27-year-old woman fleeing the violence of the Sudanese civil war thought she had escaped her traumatic past by crossing into Chad. However, she now finds herself in a grim situation, having been forced into sexual encounters with men in order to meet her basic needs as a refugee. As she clutches her seven-week-old son, she reveals that the child was conceived with an aid worker who promised her financial support in exchange for sex. “The children were crying. We ran out of food,” she recounted, describing her desperation and how the aid worker took advantage of her dire circumstances. Due to the risk of retaliation, she and others declined to disclose their identities.
Many Sudanese women and girls are voicing similar concerns, alleging that men—including those in roles meant to protect them, like humanitarian workers and local security personnel—have preyed on them for sexual favors in exchange for money, access to help, or job opportunities. This exploitation, which is legally classified as a crime in Chad, has become prevalent as hundreds of thousands of individuals, primarily women, seek refuge from Sudan’s ongoing civil conflict, a tragedy that has claimed over 20,000 lives.
Three women shared their experiences with a reporter in Adre, near the Sudan-Sudanese border. Additionally, a Sudanese psychologist detailed cases from seven other women and girls who either chose not to speak publicly or have lost contact. Although these accounts could not be independently verified, Daral-Salam Omar, the psychologist, stated that the individuals confided in her that their participation in these transactions was driven by necessity. Some sought her assistance after becoming pregnant, fearing social ostracization from their communities if they sought abortions.
“They were psychologically devastated. Picture a woman who is expecting a child without a husband in these circumstances,” Omar expressed.
Sexual exploitation during extensive humanitarian crises is a troubling occurrence, particularly in displacement sites, where women find themselves extremely vulnerable. Aid organizations are aware of the issue but struggle to address it effectively, citing a lack of reports from women, insufficient funding, and the necessity to prioritize immediate needs like food and shelter.
The United Nations refugee agency has refrained from publishing detailed case statistics, prioritizing the safety and confidentiality of survivors. Experts emphasize that individuals seeking asylum should never be compelled to make such dire choices driven by the need for survival. Nidhi Kapur, who focuses on preventing sexual exploitation in emergencies, highlighted that this represents a significant failure on the part of the aid community.
Yewande Odia, a representative for the United Nations Population Fund in Chad, classified sexual exploitation as a serious breach of conduct. U.N. organizations reported that displacement camps offer certain “safe spaces” for women, alongside awareness initiatives, anonymous hotlines, and feedback systems for reporting instances of abuse. However, many Sudanese women have indicated they are unaware of the hotline, with some expressing concern that using the boxes to report abuse might expose them to unwanted attention.
In her story, the Sudanese mother of a newborn described her fear of reporting the aid worker due to the possibility of being reported to the police. After searching for work to provide for her basic needs, she approached a Sudanese aid worker who promised cash—but only in exchange for sexual favors. Over several months, she engaged in this arrangement, receiving about $12 for each encounter. Following the birth of her child, she received a one-time payment of roughly $65, with the man denying his paternity claims.
The aid worker reportedly worked for Doctors Without Borders (MSF), as the woman mentioned. Other Sudanese women recounted similar experiences with Chadian men affiliated with MSF, who contacted them after they submitted job applications, soliciting sex in exchange for job opportunities. Both women reportedly declined the offers.
Christopher Lockyear, the secretary general of MSF, stated that the organization had not been made aware of these allegations and expressed a desire to investigate the claims, emphasizing that such actions would violate their ethical standards. MSF withheld the number of similar reports from Sudanese refugees in Chad but indicated that out of 714 alleged cases of misconduct globally last year, 264 involved confirmed instances of abuse, including sexual exploitation.
Lockyear further mentioned that MSF is working on forming a dedicated team of investigators to address allegations more effectively. Another woman who shared her experience stated she faced exploitation from a male associated with a different aid organization, though she could not specify which one. Omar, the psychologist, noted that numerous women reported exploitative behavior from both local and international aid workers, though she provided no corroborating evidence.
One woman recounted that a local policeman had also approached her, suggesting she could receive an additional food ration in exchange for sexual favors, which she refused. Ali Mahamat Sebey, the local chief official, denied allegations of police exploitation, asserting that officers do not enter the camps, though he admitted that safeguarding everyone during this growing refugee crisis has been a challenge.
The women all conveyed a desire for safety and emphasized that access to legitimate job opportunities would alleviate their vulnerability. After her family suffered tragedies in Sudan’s Darfur region, a 19-year-old girl sought refuge in Chad to care for her orphaned nieces and nephews. Although she secured a job at a local restaurant, when she sought a raise from her Sudanese employer, he agreed—on the condition that she engage in sexual relations. The compensation was over six times her normal pay, but when she became pregnant, the man disappeared, abandoning her in a precarious situation. “If we had enough, we wouldn’t have to compromise our dignity,” she lamented, touching her pregnant belly.