Over the last 18 months, doTERRA cooperated fully with Sidley Austin as they conducted their independent investigation into allegations of unfair pay and working conditions and sexual assault in Somaliland. These allegations were specific to one of doTERRA’s former frankincense suppliers, Barkhad Hassan and his company, Asli Maydi. Once doTERRA was informed there were breaches of contract, and upon the recommendation of Sidley Austin, it immediately terminated its contract with Asli Maydi.

We are grateful to Sidley Austin for the great care, thoroughness, and sensitivity with which they approached this independent investigation. A summary of Sidley’s findings can be found here.

Pay and Working Conditions for Sorters

As outlined in the report, doTERRA purposely paid Asli Maydi above market rates for Frankincense resins on the understanding that fair and on-time wages would be paid to harvesters and sorters. doTERRA is extremely disappointed and saddened that in certain cases Asli Maydi did not pay harvesters and sorters in a fair and on-time manner. Additionally, the fact that some Asli Maydi premises did not have adequate access to clean water and sanitation was also of grave concern to us.

Sexual Assault Allegations made against Barkhad Hassan

doTERRA requested this investigation thoroughly review all allegations made against the business’ former supplier. Though claims of sexual assault were not substantiated by the investigation, doTERRA treats any allegation of sexual assault with the utmost seriousness. Extreme consideration was taken by the investigative team comprising highly credentialed investigators with extensive experience prosecuting and defending sex offenses as well as recording incidents of gender-based violence and exploitation.

A Path Forward

In retaliation for its contract being terminated, Asli Maydi overtook the Sanaag Specialty Hospital, a critical care facility operated by doTERRA, requiring all patients and staff to immediately evacuate the premises. doTERRA is actively supporting legal action to manage the transfer of the hospital to Somaliland’s Ministry of Health Development.

Through the help of generous donors, the hospital opened in 2021 and performed over 350 surgeries, safely delivered nearly 450 babies and treated over 20,000 patients. doTERRA is grateful to Response-Med for supplying, training, and overseeing doctors and staff in its pursuit of providing world-class healthcare in this remote region of the world. It is our hope that the hospital can reopen under the management of the Ministry of Health Development, so it can continue to provide essential healthcare to the people of Somaliland.

In its continued support of frankincense sourcing communities within Somaliland, doTERRA has been engaging with community leaders and local nonprofit organizations. Just recently, doTERRA partnered with the Nagaad Network—a nonprofit which empowers women in Somaliland through advocacy and capacity strengthening—in a series of female entrepreneurship workshops within Burao and Erigavo. Participants were trained in financial management, public speaking and decision-making. In addition, doTERRA has teamed up with NYAGI, a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving mother’s lives through emergency ultrasound equipment. In conjunction with the renowned Edna Adan Hospital, this highly advanced technology offers life-saving support, guidance and monitoring to mothers in the remote regions of Somaliland, supporting the health and safety of their unborn children.

doTERRA understands the harm done by Asli Maydi and will continue collaborating with local clan chiefs, government officials, and NGO’s to best support the workers within the frankincense communities. doTERRA is regularly reviewing its sourcing practices to actively implement additional protocols and procedures to enforce the standards set within its Supplier Code of Conduct.  Our commitment to source the best to help the most has never been stronger.

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For further information please contact: media@doterra.com