Recent allegations against Oxfam

Dear Oxfam
Thank you for your email and the concern over your employees actions.

Personally, I feel you have little to apologise for and find it appalling the
way the charity has been hounded and vilified by the press and parliament. It is
not as if those organisation have an untarnished reputation.
I hope these attacks will not deter others from wanting to participate in your
work, or that of the thousands of other NGO's that deliver such needed aid and
support in developing countries.
While it is important to have adequate safeguarding in place to contain the
sorts of behaviour reported in the press, I appreciate that such a large
organisation employing so many people from so many cultures in so many places is
a huge challenge and it is not surprising that some incidents occur.
I hope your new safeguarding measures are effective, but do not divert too much
effort and resources from your important work.
Best wishes, Andy

On 09/02/18 18:58, Oxfam wrote:
> Dear Andy,
> I wanted to write to you regarding the distressing story you may have seen in
> the news. The front page of The Times reported sexual misconduct of former
> Oxfam employees during our response to the Haiti earthquake in 2011. It is
> very, very hard to read.
>
> It is horrific that a few individuals felt that it was acceptable to treat
> others in the way that some Oxfam staff in Haiti did. I feel great responsibly
> in the trust that as a supporter, you place in Oxfam and I know that this
> awful situation may have damaged that trust. As an organisation, we will work
> hard for any lost faith to be rebuilt.
>
> I want to personally reassure you that as soon as we become aware of the
> allegations, we immediately launched an internal investigation. Four members
> of staff were dismissed and three, including the country director, resigned
> before the end of the investigation.
>
> As you know, Oxfam is a charity that campaigns for women's rights. We have a
> responsibility to fight exploitation and violence against women - the
> incidents in Haiti breach that fundamental value at our core.
>
> After the investigation in 2011, we carried out a thorough review of this case
> which resulted in the creation of our dedicated Safeguarding Team and the
> confidential 'whistle blowing' line to ensure that we do all we can to prevent
> sexual abuse and misconduct happening in the first place and improve how we
> handle any allegations.
>
> I feel great shame in the behaviour of those few who did not uphold Oxfam's or
> society's values. But I feel enormous pride in the life-changing work that,
> thanks to people like you, we were able to achieve in Haiti during our
> response to the earthquake and cholera epidemic – we reached over one million
> people.
>
> The recent news has been painful and shocking for Oxfam supporters around the
> world. This incident does not represent Oxfam and what we stand for. If this
> has also been difficult for you to read and you would like to personally speak
> to one of my colleagues, please do get in touch.
>
> Thank you so much for your ongoing support,
>
> Mark
>
> Mark Goldring, Chief Executive

--
Andy Brown
07799 457311, 01223 313539
Skype: andyatgoldfin
--
We are far more united
and have far more in common
than that which divides us.
Helen Joanne Cox (1974 – 2016)