The United Nations says 31 allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation by its peacekeepers and civilians working for its agencies were reported in a three-month period ending in September — almost half of them against those employed to help refugees.

Stephane Dujarric, a United Nations spokesman, said Secretary General António Guterres “is obviously disappointed and saddened that these actions continue.”

The United Nations has been in the spotlight for several years over allegations of child rape and other sexual abuses by its peacekeepers, especially those based in the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

In 2016, United Nations figures show, there were 80 allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse involving peacekeepers and 65 allegations involving civilian staff, an increase from the previous year.