The United States, the European Union and other Western nations on Friday called for "full commitment" from the World Health Organization (WHO) to reform, following the release of a damaging report outlining rape and sexual abuse by its workers sent to fight Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

"The governments of Australia, Canada, the European Union and its member states, New Zealand, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States of America... expect full commitment from the WHO to prevent and address such acts, including through fundamental reforms to the WHO," the governments said in a joint statement.

The governments pledged to ensure that the WHO leadership's commitments lead to accountability, increased capability, action, and swift change.

They also demanded an "immediate, thorough and detailed assessment" of what went wrong.

On Tuesday, the WHO released the final Independent Commission's report into allegations of sexual abuse by aid workers during the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo between 2018 and 2020.

The report revealed 83 alleged cases of sex abuse were discovered, including accusations incriminating 21 WHO staff members.

WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus apologized to all the victims adding that it was his "top priority" that the perpetrators will not be excused but held to account.

Four have had their contracts terminated and are banned from future employment at the WHO, while two senior staff have been placed on administrative leave.

The agency will also refer rape allegations to the Congolese authorities and those of other concerned states, Ghebreyesus added.

(With input from agencies)