Red Cross to probe sexual favours claim

NEW DELHI: The Red Cross in Sri Lanka said yesterday it was investigating a claim that one of its staff had demanded sexual favours from a woman in return for providing her with a grant as part of an Indian government-sponsored scheme for war-displaced people.

Mahieash Johnney, the senior manager for communications of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Sri Lanka, said the accused staff member had taken voluntary leave pending the outcome of the probe.

“We received a written complaint from a woman in Kilinochchi district in early October who claimed a Red Cross technical officer had asked for sexual favours in return for providing a cash grant to build a new house,” said Johnney. “We take this incident very seriously. We have formed a panel who are investigating the complaint. The inquiry should be completed by the end of the week.“

If any evidence was found to back up the complaint, the Red Cross would seek a criminal inquiry by the police, he added. Tens of thousands of people were killed and hundreds of thousands were displaced from their homes during the Indian Ocean island’s 26-year civil war, which ended in May 2009.

Government buildings and infrastructure were destroyed during the fighting between government forces and Tamil separatists. – Reuters