The NGO Mercy corps has confirmed it is investigating allegations of serious misconduct of sexual exploitation and financial corruption by two of the organization's employees in Greece. The EU suspended Mercy Corps funding earlier this year due to the claims.
Greece's migration minister Giannis Mouzalas submitted a report on Monday to a Supreme Court prosecutor on the affair, stating that his attention was drawn to the issue by the NGO itself. He stated that it was his ministry's jurisdiction to look into charges that members of the group had sexually assaulted and stolen money from refugees and migrants under their care.
"We are taking this situation very seriously and have reported the allegation to Greek authorities as well as to the funders of our program," said Mercy Corps in a media statement.The statement added: "We are committed to the protection of our beneficiaries and have zero tolerance for any form of harassment, exploitation, fraud or theft; if proven to have taken place, violations of our code of conduct result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment or partner agreement.A comprehensive investigation is underway, led by an expert in victims' rights and, more specifically, with deep expertise in investigation into allegations of sexual harassment and exploitation.
Mercy Corps revealed the two employees in question "have been temporarily put on leave pending the outcome of the investigation". Mercy Corps has been active in Greece since 2015, where it has supported tens of thousands of refugees in the country with cash assistance, information and services, safe shelter and psychosocial support for youth.
Photo: Migrants take part in a protest rally in Athens, Greece on18 March 2017.