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Sex-For-Food Scandal in Liberia Revealed

According to a report by the America-based aid group ?Save the Children?, aid workers and U.N. peacekeepers are trading food for sex with young girls in Liberian displaced persons camps, housing those left homeless by years of war. The group surveyed nearly 160 children, and about 170 adults, who were either living in camps or had recently returned home. The "Save the Children" workers said they were repeatedly told of girls having sex with older men in exchange for money, food and other goods. The accused included United Nations peacekeeping troops, aid workers from other groups, and other powerful men in the Liberian community.

About 17,000 U.N. peacekeepers have been based in Liberia, just starting to recover from years of civil war. Many of its citizens still live in camps set up after they were forced out of their villages. The U.N. humanitarian coordinator in Liberia, Jordan Ryan, said the survey was outdated as it was conducted nine months ago and much has improved since then. The camps that are the primary subject of the report are now closed, he said.

Liberia?s deputy health minister said, ?With the coming in of a new government, mechanisms are being put in place to limit these kinds of things.? The official also noted that preventing sex transactions is a difficult task for a poor country still recovering from years of violence. Liberia recently elected Africa`s first female president, and former strongman Charles Taylor has been captured and will be put on trial.