Save the Children has been officially warned by the Charity Commission for England and Wales over management failures that put staff at its Yemen office at serious risk. The warning follows a two-year investigation into the charity's operations in Yemen, triggered by the death of safety and security director Hisham al-Hakimi in October 2023 after he was detained by Yemeni authorities.
Investigation Findings and Regulatory Action
The Charity Commission concluded that weak governance at Save the Children's Yemen office left staff inadequately safeguarded in response to a "live security concern." The regulator also found that incidents of poor conduct by staff were not properly addressed.
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In its warning letter, the commission cited substantial policy breaches and a lack of accountability. Local charity bosses failed to adequately assess and escalate complaints and reports made by whistleblowers, according to the regulator.
Internal Culture and Staff Impact
An internal Save the Children investigation in 2024, conducted after Al-Hakimi's death, revealed a negative working culture in the Yemen office that left staff feeling "disillusioned and marginalised." The charity apologised to staff, admitting it had let them down by failing to properly appreciate the risks they faced amid Yemen's deteriorating security situation.
Save the Children International stated that since 2024 it has made significant changes under new leadership in Yemen. These reforms aim to address the identified issues and improve staff safety and organisational culture.
Key Takeaways
- Save the Children received an official warning from the Charity Commission over Yemen office failures.
- The investigation followed the death of Hisham al-Hakimi, a safety and security director, in October 2023.
- The commission found weak governance, policy breaches, and a lack of accountability.
- An internal probe revealed a negative working culture that marginalised staff.
- Save the Children has implemented changes under new leadership since 2024.
Comparison of Before and After Reforms
| Aspect | Before 2024 | After 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Governance | Weak, with policy breaches | Strengthened under new leadership |
| Staff Safety | Inadequate response to security concerns | Improved risk assessment and escalation |
| Complaint Handling | Whistleblower reports not escalated | Enhanced accountability measures |
| Work Culture | Negative, staff disillusioned | Reforms to address marginalisation |
FAQ
What did the Charity Commission find in its investigation?
The Charity Commission found weak governance, substantial policy breaches, and a lack of accountability at Save the Children's Yemen office. It also noted that staff were not properly safeguarded in response to a live security concern, and whistleblower complaints were not adequately escalated.
Why was Save the Children issued an official warning?
The warning was issued due to management failures and misconduct that put staff at serious risk. The commission concluded a two-year investigation into the running of the Yemen office following the death of Hisham al-Hakimi in October 2023.
What changes has Save the Children made since the investigation?
Save the Children International stated that since 2024 it has made significant changes under new leadership in Yemen. These include improved risk assessment, enhanced accountability measures, and efforts to address the negative working culture identified in the internal investigation.
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