WHO Takes a Stand After the Ebola Scandal
When 83 aid workers—about a quarter of them from the World Health Organization—got caught up in sexual exploitation during the 2018‑2020 Ebola crisis, World Health Organization (WHO) staff found themselves in a headline‑making mess. Now, the organization has rolled out a new plan, promising to put an end to any more misconduct in its field teams.
“No More Tolerating Bad Stuff”
Director‑General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the scandal would be a catalyst for a major cultural shift. “There will be zero chance for exploitation, zero impunity if it happens, and absolutely no tolerance for inaction,” he declared.
Donor Pressure and External Review
- Major donors, led by the United States and the European Union, have pushed WHO to launch a deeper probe into how this could have slipped through the cracks.
- WHO has asked the UN’s Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) to review all cases identified by an independent commission, especially where a WHO employee was involved.
- In addition, an independent watchdog body set up by WHO’s Executive Board will deploy external investigators to look into any managerial lapses that caused delays in initiating investigations.
Heading Out After 14 Trips
Tedros, who flew back to the Democratic Republic of Congo 14 times during the epidemic, updated reporters last month when the commission released its findings. None of the staff had raised the allegations on their own, according to the report.
With a possible new term for his leadership looming in May, Tedros steered clear of comments on the crisis at Thursday’s press conference.
Proactive Measures for 10 High‑Risk Nations
Not sitting around, WHO is already on the move. They’re sending experts to 10 high‑risk countries—including Afghanistan and Ethiopia—to put a stop to any future exploitation.
Over the past week, nearly 40 members of WHO and UN partner agencies have been trained on how to prevent sexual exploitation. It’s one thing to promise change and another to actually carry it out—here’s hoping they’re nailing different things.
What’s Next?
After the audit finishes and if any officers are held accountable, WHO will need to prove to the donors that it’s serious about reform. The world watches, waiting for the scandal to turn into something more than just a headline—into a real reshaping of how aid workers are protected and held to account.
