Haitian government suspends British charity Oxfam's operations

Haiti has announced the suspension of operations carried out by the British charity Oxfam, as it investigates claims of sexual misconduct by members of staff in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake.

According to Haiti’s Minister of Planning and External Cooperation, Aviol Fleurant, Oxfam made “a serious error” by failing to inform the Haitian authorities of the allegations.

He added that decision on Oxfam’s right to operate in the country, will be made in about two months.

To date, seven Oxfam members of staff left the charity in 2011 following the organization’s own investigation into whether staff hired prostitutes while working overseas.

Oxfam denied a cover-up but its handling of the scandal, first reported in The Times earlier this month, is being investigated by the Charity Commission.

Oxfam GB chief executive Mark Goldring told MPs earlier this week he was sorry for damage done to the people of Haiti and to the wider efforts of aid workers.

He said 26 claims of sexual misconduct had been made since the scandal broke.