According to the 35-page report, which was produced by an independent panel commissioned by WHO, the abuses and exploitations were committed by aid workers between 2018 and 2020.

21 of the 83 aid workers who were involved in the incidents were employed by the WHO, the report said.

The release of the findings represented a “dark day for WHO,” Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, adding that it was also a betrayal of “our colleagues who put themselves in harm’s way to serve others”. 

Tedros said there would be “severe consequences” for perpetrators and all leaders would be held “accountable for inaction”.

Apologizing for the victims “ongoing suffering” he said he was acutely conscious of the “need to rebuild trust”.

But “by shining a light on the failures of individuals and the organization, we hope that the victims feel that their voices have been heard and acted on,” he added.