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Refugees Claim They Were Forced to Bribe U.N. Agency UNHCR for Resettlement

An news investigation by NBC found refugees described paying up to $3,000 per person to move their families to safety.

More than 50 refugees and employees told NBC News there is a system of rampant corruption within the U.N. refugee agency, UNHCR. Refugees in Kenya, Uganda, Yemen, Ethiopia and Libya described paying up to $3,000 per person in bribes to UNHCR officials in order to resettle in another country. Others said they were forced to bribe officials for everything from food rations to contacting the police. Three staff members said they were fired after speaking up about the exploitation, while suspected perpetrators were allowed to resign or move to another location rather than being investigated. A UNHCR spokesperson said the agency strongly denies the allegations.