The World Health Organization's (WHO) regional director for Africa said on Tuesday that the agency was "heartbroken" by the findings of an independent commission on sex abuse in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

"We in the WHO are indeed humbled, horrified and heartbroken by the findings of this inquiry," Matshidiso Moeti said at a news briefing.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the commission's report made for "harrowing reading."

The commission found that some 21 of the 83 alleged perpetrators were employed by the WHO, and that the abuses, which included nine allegations of rape, were committed by both national and international staff.

Alleged victims "were not provided with the necessary support and assistance required for such degrading experiences," the report said.