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The Story

The Oxfam scandal in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The Story

The Times

News, In-depth Journalism, News Analysis, Investigative Reporting, Long-form Audio, Exclusive Interviews, Daily News, Daily News Podcast, Audio Storytelling, Current Affairs, Uk News, Global News, Politics

3.91.6K Ratings

🗓️ 19 April 2021

⏱️ 34 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

An investigation by The Times has brought to light allegations of bullying, sexual harassment, exploitation and assault at Oxfam International's mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. What happens when people delivering aid to a country in need become part of the problem?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today and get one month free at: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Sean O'Neill, Chief reporter for The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips used: Sky, ITV, CBC.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.


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Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Imagine sweeping through green fields, floating five feet above ground, sun on your face as you slide by on track to your destination, not a car in the world, as you simply lean back.

0:17.0

And before you know it, you're there.

0:20.0

This is how travel should feel, and on our trains, it does.

0:25.0

Avanti West Coast, feel good travel.

0:37.0

For countries ravaged by war and natural disasters, international charities and aid agencies are a lifeline.

0:45.0

But what if the people delivering aid become part of the problem?

0:50.0

Some perpetrators join up with aid agencies to be able to have their way in a society that has largely broken down.

0:58.0

Three years after a major times investigation shook the aid sector when it revealed a sex scandal at Oxfam, the problem persists.

1:08.0

The Times has now learnt that Oxfam's mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been plagued by allegations of fraud, bullying, sexual harassment, assault and even attempted poisoning.

1:21.0

They've been reporting concerns about serious misconduct and power abuses that have been taking place within Oxfam in the DRC for at least six years.

1:30.0

You're listening to stories of our times from the Times and the Sunday Times.

1:34.0

I'm Manvin Ronner. Today, the Oxfam scandal in the DRC.

1:45.0

It started really with just a text message from an unrecognized number.

1:50.0

Somebody saying, is this Sean O'Neal of the Times?

1:53.0

That, if you hadn't guessed, is Sean O'Neal of the Times.

1:57.0

He's our chief reporter and a crack investigative journalist.

2:02.0

A colleague recommended I get in touch with you with regard to Oxfam.

2:06.0

Are you interested to which my answer was yes?

2:10.0

The Texter was one of a group of whistleblowers who had become concerned about the conduct of Oxfam in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

2:19.0

They alerted Sean to the existence of a letter.

2:23.0

It's quite extraordinary.

2:25.0

The letter was forced.

...

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