Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
The supplies are still years away from expiring.
The supplies are still years away from expiring.
What is happening?
Nearly $10 million in U.S.-funded contraceptives—implants, pills, and IUDs—are being sent from Belgium to France to be incinerated, sources tell Reuters.
This happens despite offers from global aid groups to purchase or distribute the supplies to countries in need.
Trapped in Limbo After Foreign Aid Freeze
The contraceptives have been stranded in a warehouse in Geel, Belgium, since January, when President Trump halted foreign aid via USAID.
The supplies were intended to support reproductive health programs in lower-income nations.
Will cost $160,000 to Burn the Stockpile
Four sources revealed that Washington will spend an additional $160,000 to destroy the contraceptives at a French facility that handles medical waste.
This decision follows the shuttering of USAID’s global family planning efforts under the Trump administration.
Attempts to Save the Supplies Fell on Deaf Ears
Despite multiple offers to repurpose or relocate the contraceptives, the U.S. State Department remained unresponsive.
Lawmakers introduced bills in July to halt the incineration, but aid groups warn that action will come too late to stop it.
Belgium Tried to Intervene
The Belgian government confirmed it had held discussions with U.S. officials and explored relocation options to avoid destruction.
“Despite these efforts… no viable alternative could be secured,” a Belgian foreign ministry statement said according to Reuters.
Supplies Still Years Away From Expiry
An internal inventory lists the supplies’ expiration dates between April 2027 and September 2031,
In short, they’re years away from expiring.
Aid Groups Offered to Pay—U.S. Said No
MSI Reproductive Choices offered to cover the cost of rebranding, shipping, and import duties to send the supplies to nations in need.
The U.S. government allegedly declined the offer, insisting they would only sell the products at full market value.
Ideology Over Aid, Critics Say
MSI’s Sarah Shaw called the move an “ideological assault on reproductive rights.”
She pointed out that many sub-Saharan nations depend on USAID-supplied contraception and predicted that cutting access will increase unsafe abortions.
UN Also Rebuffed Despite Purchase Offer
UNFPA, the UN agency for reproductive health, also offered to buy the contraceptives. But talks collapsed, reportedly due to lack of engagement from the U.S. side.
One source tied the refusal to Trump’s reinstated Mexico City policy, which restricts aid to groups linked to abortion services.
Dozens of Truckloads to Remove the Stockpile
Sources said it would take at least two weeks and numerous truckloads to transport the supplies from Geel to the French incineration facility.
