WASHINGTON, D.C. – A highly controversial decision by the U.S. government to destroy nearly $10 million worth of women’s contraceptives, many of which were designated for African nations, has ignited a firestorm of condemnation from international health organizations and reproductive rights advocates.
The supplies—including birth control pills, implants, and intrauterine devices (IUDs)—were purchased under a previous administration for distribution in low-income countries. However, the current administration has ordered their incineration, citing a new policy on foreign aid and a broader effort to cut ties with organizations that provide abortion services or advocacy.
The contraceptives, currently held in a warehouse in Belgium, have an expiration date extending as far as 2031. Humanitarian groups, including the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) and MSI Reproductive Choices, have publicly decried the decision, calling it a “cruel and ideologically driven” act that will have dire consequences for millions of women and girls.
IPPF and other organizations made multiple offers to purchase or take the supplies at no cost to the U.S. government, covering all logistics, repackaging, and distribution expenses. These offers were reportedly rejected. According to reports, the destruction will cost the U.S. an additional $167,000 in incineration fees.
The loss of these contraceptives is expected to have a significant impact on public health in Africa. According to IPPF, 77% of the supplies were earmarked for five countries in the region: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, and Mali. For some of these nations, the destroyed stock represents a substantial portion of their annual contraceptive needs. For instance, the supplies allocated to Tanzania were estimated to be 28% of the country’s annual need.
NGOs have projected that the destruction could lead to over 362,000 unplanned pregnancies, more than 110,000 unsafe abortions, and approximately 700 preventable maternal deaths. The move is seen as a major setback to global health and development efforts, especially in regions already facing humanitarian crises and high rates of maternal mortality.
The decision has prompted diplomatic and public pressure on European governments, including France and Belgium, to intervene and prevent the incineration on their soil. While some sources indicate the supplies may have already been moved to France for destruction, others suggest they remain in Belgium as diplomatic efforts continue.
This incident has amplified a growing concern among global health experts about the broader cuts to U.S. foreign aid and the dismantling of development agencies, which critics argue is jeopardizing life-saving health services and pushing millions of vulnerable people into poverty.
