Haiti suspends Oxfam pending investigation into sexual abuse

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – A Haitian government minster says Oxfam will be suspended in the country for two months pending an investigation into sexual misconduct by employees of the aid group.

Minister of Planning and External Cooperation Aviol Fleurant says Haiti is investigating whether anyone from Oxfam sexually abused minors while working in the country.

Fleurant announced the suspension Thursday.

Seven Oxfam workers were fired or resigned in 2011 after a whistleblower accused staff members of misconduct while working in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake that devastated the country.

Oxfam officials have apologized for downplaying the significance of the misconduct.