Swiss government suspends part of funding to MSF over Chad sexual abuse scandal

A probe by Médecins Sans Frontières revealed extensive sexual exploitation of women and adolescent refugees in a Chad camp, with staff extracting money, labor or food for sexual favors. The NGO logged 59 grave misconduct accusations and terminated 18 employees, six of whom were based in Switzerland. Although the Swiss Directorate of Development and Cooperation had provided two million francs for the initiative, it suspended part of the payment after the agency was found to have neglected its reporting obligations.

The Directorate, part of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, faced criticism for its delayed response despite receiving early warnings in November 2024. In February 2026, the government praised MSF’s transparency, unaware of the confirmed abuses that later emerged in June 2026. The scandal has prompted a review of all contracts with partner NGOs and the consideration of an independent audit.