I received this arse-covering reply to my email today. It's a load of mealy-mouthed prevarication in my view. They don't even deign to mention the abused women...
Thank you Ms * for informing us of the cancellation of your support of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). We appreciate you sharing your concerns in relation to our safeguarding processes and procedures following the recent media coverage on the BBC.
We have also been shocked and sadden by the allegations that have been brought to us. We know that MSF is not immune to these issues and we take any reports seriously. We have mechanisms in place to prevent, detect and address staff misconduct and abuse; and have looked into the claims put to us by the BBC as far as we are able, but the lack of detail provided has made this difficult. Based on the information provided so far, we have been unable to confirm the specific allegations made in the BBC report. We have been urging anyone with any concerns to report them via MSF’s confidential whistleblowing mechanisms so that we can take appropriate action.
MSF has codes of conduct, procedures and behavioural review committees in place, including whistle blowing mechanisms, through which all members of staff can report inappropriate behaviour or abuse – with a range of sanctions available, ranging from warnings or suspension to dismissal.
Systems in place to guard against such behaviour range from careful selection at recruitment stage, including obtaining background checks on all staff that go to the field, to preparation for departure in attending a week's induction which covers issues such as:
abuse of power
cross-cultural culture and communication
stress management
resilience
living together
Staff from our behavioural committees regularly visit our field projects to raise awareness around issues of misconduct and abuse.
We welcome the current scrutiny as this is what enables change in and beyond MSF. Listening to the experiences of our staff encourages more people to talk about these issues. It discourages unacceptable behaviour and encourages individuals to report it when it does occur.
We are deeply saddened that in this case the people the BBC has spoken to have not felt able to come forward. While we have reporting mechanisms in place where complaints can be made, we know we need to do more to ensure that they are known, trusted and used by the people who need them. Underreporting is a key challenge as those affected may not come forward for fear of not being believed or being stigmatised. Unfortunately, this is as true in MSF as it is in wider society.
I hope that reassures you that we are treating the issue with the attention and importance required.