Oxfam International Regional Director for Latin America, Simon Ticehurst, and Oxfam Intermon Executive Affiliate Unit head, Margalida Massot, met this afternoon on the request of Haiti’s Minister of Planning and External Cooperation Aviol Fleurant for a preliminary meeting, to begin clarifying the exact allegations and investigations into the abusive behaviours of some Oxfam staff during the organization’s humanitarian response to the 2010 earthquake.
Oxfam also presented the minister its Investigation Report into the matter, offered a formal apology and requested an official high-level meeting with the Haiti Government from Oxfam International Executive Director Winnie Byanyima and Oxfam GB Executive Director Mark Goldring.
“Oxfam is grateful to the Haiti Government for allowing us the chance now to offer our humblest apologies and to begin explaining ourselves and start the long road ahead of re-establishing trust and partnership, given our 40-year history with Haiti and its citizens. We will stand ready to engage with the people of Haiti and have expressed our openness to collaborate as much as required with the Haiti Government,” Ticehurst said.