Reporting Misconduct, Fraud, Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

Remember: All UNHCR services and activities are always free of charge.
At no point will you be asked to pay for any of the services provided by UNHCR or any of its partners. Please be cautious of fraudulent behaviour and do not believe anyone who tells you that they can help you with registration, resettlement etc. if you pay.

UNHCR takes a ZERO TOLERANCE approach to issues of misconduct, fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse. See below for more information, including confidential reporting of incidents.

Important:

  • Please note that filing a complaint will not in any way impact your case with UNHCR.
  • Complaints may be anonymous.
  • In your complaint, please provide all facts and evidence known to you.
  • Your report and all communication with UNHCR will be kept strictly confidential.

What is Misconduct?

The United Nations defines misconduct as “any failure by a staff member to comply with his or her obligations under the Charter of the United Nations, the Staff Regulations and Staff Rules or other administrative issuances, or to observe the standards of conduct expected of an international civil servant.”

Possible misconduct can include:

  • Sexual exploitation and abuse of people of concern.
  • Fraud (e.g. falsifying a document).
  • Corruption (e.g. taking money from refugees or others).
  • Theft and embezzlement (e.g. stealing equipment or money).
  • Workplace harassment (e.g. treating staff members in an unfair manner).
  • Sexual harassment (e.g. unwelcome sexual behaviour).
  • Abuse of authority (e.g. showing favouritism or discrimination against staff).
  • Assault upon or threats to others.
  • Misuse of UNHCR assets.
  • Breach of confidentiality.
  • Acts or behaviour that would discredit UNHCR.
  • Non-compliance with local laws.
  • Conflict of interest.
  • Abuse of privileges and immunities.
  • Gross negligence.
  • Unauthorized outside activities or employment.

How to report Misconduct?

All issues of misconduct can be reported directly to the Inspector General’s Office (IGO) in Geneva by:

  1. Confidential email: [email protected]
  2. Use of the online complaint form
  3. Fax: +41 22 739 7380

All reports of Misconduct are kept anonymous and confidential.

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What is Fraud?

Fraud is any act with the objective of intentionally misleading another in order to obtain a benefit.

All UNHCR services are free of charge!

Do not trust anyone or any organization asking you to pay for the services of UNHCR or its partners. If money or any other form of favours, including of a sexual nature, is requested from you, you should report it to UNHCR and/or the nearest police station immediately.

Be aware that any UNHCR services offered to you in exchange for money are fraudulent. For genuine information about UNHCR’s work and services, please consult UNHCR’s Help websites.

How to Report Fraud?

All issues of fraud can be reported to the local UNHCR office at [email protected].

Asylum seekers and refugees have the option to directly report Fraud to the Inspector General’s Office (IGO) in Geneva at:

  1. Confidential email: [email protected]
  2. Use of the online complaint form
  3. Fax: +41 22 739 7380

All complaints of Fraud are kept anonymous and confidential.

What is Sexual Exploitation and Abuse?

What is sexual exploitation? It is any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust for sexual purposes.

What is sexual abuse? It is any actual or threatened sexual activity carried out by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.

In line with the United Nations standards of conduct, the staff members of UNHCR and NGO partners must not:

  • Have sexual activity with anyone in exchange for money, employment, preferential treatment, goods or services,
  • Have sexual activity with anyone under the age of 18 years old,
  • Engage in any other form of sexually humiliating, degrading or exploitative behavior.

If you are aware of or have concerns or suspicions about a possible case of sexual exploitation and abuse by a UNHCR, UN or NGO staff member, you can confidentially report any violation of this to UNHCR.

How to report Sexual Exploitation and Abuse?

All issues of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse can be reported directly to the Inspector General’s Office (IGO) in Geneva at:

  1. Confidential email: [email protected]
  2. Use of the online complaint form
  3. Fax: +41 22 739 7380

All complaints of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse are kept anonymous and confidential.

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