Nearly $10 million worth of U.S.-funded contraceptives, originally intended for distribution in low-income countries, are being shipped from Belgium to France for destruction. The stockpile, which includes IUDs, implants, and birth control pills, was designated to support reproductive health programs in vulnerable regions of Africa and Asia. However, a combination of political impasse and restrictive ideological policies has resulted in the supplies being incinerated, sparking criticism from global health organizations and human rights advocates.
The contraceptives have remained in storage at a Belgian warehouse since January 2025, following the dismantling of USAID’s family planning division under the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump. Despite the products having long shelf lives—some valid until 2031—U.S. authorities opted for destruction instead of redistribution. Offers from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and organizations such as MSI Reproductive Choices to purchase and rebrand the supplies were rejected. The U.S. State Department justified the $167,000 incineration cost by citing concerns over the USAID label and compliance with the Mexico City Policy, which bars U.S. aid from being used by organizations linked to abortion services.
Experts warn that the decision to destroy the contraceptives has significant global implications. Modern contraception is vital for reducing maternal mortality, preventing unsafe abortions, and upholding women’s reproductive rights. According to UNFPA, 218 million women in low- and middle-income countries still lack access to modern contraceptive options.
In sub-Saharan Africa alone, over 14 million unintended pregnancies were reported in 2023 due to unmet contraceptive needs. With these supplies being withheld and destroyed, that number could increase further in 2025. The move undermines decades of global efforts to improve sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), particularly in a time when climate change, conflict, and displacement continue to disrupt healthcare access.
