Aid workers exploit vulnerable in Mozambique camps: Demanding sex for food

Investigation Exclusive: Aid workers ‘demand sex for food’ in Mozambique’s refugee camps

September 5, 2023 | By Colleta Dewa

Introduction

Disturbing reports have emerged from refugee camps in Mozambique, as women and girls allege that aid workers are demanding sex in exchange for food. These vulnerable individuals, who have already been displaced by conflict and violence, are now being preyed upon by those tasked with providing essential humanitarian assistance. The situation raises serious questions about the accountability and oversight of relief efforts in the country. This article will delve into the allegations, examine the underlying issues contributing to this exploitation, and explore potential strategies for addressing the problem.

Background

Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province has been embroiled in a violent conflict between militant Islamist fighters, known as Al-Shabaab, and local security forces since 2018. The resulting displacement has led thousands of people, including women and girls, to seek refuge in camps set up for internally displaced persons (IDPs). However, it is within these camps that they are now facing another harrowing challenge – sexual exploitation in exchange for food aid.

Macia*, a 16-year-old girl who arrived in a camp at the age of 13 while pregnant, is one of the victims who have come forward with their stories. She claims that she has been forced into exchanging sex for food to survive, stating, “I have been sleeping with several men since 2020 in order to feed myself and my toddler. To feed the cravings of this pregnancy, I have succumbed to the sexual demands of the powers that be” (openDemocracy).

Systemic Issues and Government Negligence

The allegations of sexual exploitation by aid workers highlight deeper systemic issues in Mozambique’s relief efforts. The government has failed to adequately support IDPs, lacking a direct role in registering displaced individuals or creating comprehensive lists of those eligible for international aid. Instead, responsibility falls on local chiefs and community leaders who have close affiliations with the ruling party and are rarely held accountable for their actions.

These community leaders often manipulate food aid distribution for personal gain, with instances of diverting supplies meant for IDPs to themselves and their families. The Camp Program Director of Caritas, Manuel Nota, confirms these occurrences and the challenges faced by the intended beneficiaries in reporting such cases due to fear of victimization (openDemocracy). The lack of governmental oversight and the reliance on community leaders have created an environment where exploitation thrives.

Lack of Accountability and Legal Recourse

While aid workers are supposed to be appointed by the Mozambican government, loopholes in the system often allow community leaders to select those responsible for distributing food aid. This lack of accountability contributes to the perpetrators’ ability to exploit vulnerable individuals without facing any consequences. As victims come forward with their stories of abuse, they face numerous barriers in seeking justice.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) acknowledges the reports of abuse but has not conducted any investigations against local leaders. Instead, the WFP refers victims to gender-based violence services, providing psychosocial support and legal assistance (openDemocracy). However, the survivors interviewed by openDemocracy were too afraid to name their abusers, further highlighting the challenges in pursuing legal recourse.

Borges Nhamirre, a researcher on the Mozambique conflict, expresses skepticism about any meaningful resolution to these cases, as there has been a lack of convictions for abuses in the past. The absence of justice perpetuates a cycle of impunity and further enables the exploitation of vulnerable individuals.

The Plight of Survivors

The testimonies collected from women at the refugee camps paint a distressing picture of their experiences. Macia describes her shattered dreams of becoming a lawyer: “Very soon, I will be a mother of two at 16, mothering children that I never planned to have. I wanted to become a lawyer and get married to a rich man” (openDemocracy). These stories highlight the profound impact that the exploitation is having on the lives and aspirations of young girls who have already endured unimaginable trauma.

Conclusion

The reports of aid workers demanding sex for food aid in Mozambique’s refugee camps are deeply troubling and require urgent attention. The exploitation of vulnerable individuals, particularly women and girls who have already experienced extreme violence and displacement, is a violation of their rights and an affront to their dignity.

The Mozambican government must take immediate action to address the systemic issues that allow these abuses to occur. It is crucial to establish robust oversight mechanisms, strengthen accountability, and ensure the protection and support of IDPs. International organizations, such as the United Nations, should also increase their involvement and pressure the government to prioritize the well-being and safety of those in the camps.

Moreover, efforts must be focused on empowering survivors to come forward without fear of reprisal, offering comprehensive legal assistance, and conducting thorough investigations to hold perpetrators accountable. Only through a collective commitment to justice and human rights can the cycle of exploitation be broken, and the lives of those affected be restored.

*Names have been changed