“COVID-19 poses a new set of challenges to organizations’ safeguarding efforts. Past health crises have heightened the risk of SEAH of both staff and beneficiaries. Reports indicate that the increased cash flow and personnel to countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the Ebola epidemic created an environment in which SEAH, specifically sex-for-work schemes, increased. Similarly, during the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, women faced an increased risk of sexual exploitation and gender-based violence. Lessons learned from the Ebola epidemic can help us be vigilant of similar patterns that may emerge during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
