US plan to destroy US$9.7m of contraceptives slammed
The stockpile of contraceptive products is currently at a warehouse in Geel, Belgium. Photo: Reuters
US plans to destroy nearly US$10 million worth of women's contraception products in Europe sparked outrage from global health NGOs on Thursday, with Doctors Without Borders denouncing the "callous waste".
A US State Department spokesperson said, "a preliminary decision was made to destroy certain" birth control products from "terminated Biden-era USAID contracts".
The US Agency for International Development (USAID), the country's foreign aid arm, was dismantled by Donald Trump's administration when he returned to office in January.
Press reports indicate US$9.7 million worth of implant and IUD contraceptives stored in Belgium are set to be incinerated in France under the plan.
"Contraceptives are essential and lifesaving health products," said Avril Benoit, CEO of Doctors Without Borders in the United States.
"MSF has seen firsthand the positive health benefits when women and girls can freely make their own health decisions by choosing to prevent or delay pregnancy – and the dangerous consequences when they cannot."
The State Department said the destruction will cost US$167,000 and "no HIV medications or condoms are being destroyed".
Trump's dismantling of USAID by dismissing thousands of employees and integrating it into the State Department has already had serious consequences.
In addition to eliminating a series of programmes providing family planning and abortion services, the Trump administration admitted to destroying tonnes of expired food that was intended to reach malnourished children, but was never distributed.
"Destroying valuable medical items that were already paid for by US taxpayers does nothing to combat waste or improve efficiency," Benoit said in a statement. (AFP)
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US plan to destroy US$9.7m of contraceptives slammed The stockpile of contraceptive products is currently at a warehouse in Geel, Belgium. Photo: Reuters US plans to destroy nearly US$10 million worth of women's contraception products in Europe sparked outrage from global health NGOs on Thursday, with Doctors Without Borders denouncing the "callous waste". A US State Department spokesperson said, "a preliminary decision was made to destroy certain" birth control products from "terminated Biden-era USAID contracts". The US Agency for International Development (USAID), the country's foreign aid arm, was dismantled by Donald Trump's administration when he returned to office in January. Press reports indicate US$9.7 million worth of implant and IUD contraceptives stored in Belgium are set to be incinerated in France under the plan. "Contraceptives are essential and lifesaving health products," said Avril Benoit, CEO of Doctors Without Borders in the United States. "MSF has seen firsthand the positive health benefits when women and girls can freely make their own health decisions by choosing to prevent or delay pregnancy – and the dangerous consequences when they cannot." The State Department said the destruction will cost US$167,000 and "no HIV medications or condoms are being destroyed". Trump's dismantling of USAID by dismissing thousands of employees and integrating it into the State Department has already had serious consequences. In addition to eliminating a series of programmes providing family planning and abortion services, the Trump administration admitted to destroying tonnes of expired food that was intended to reach malnourished children, but was never distributed. "Destroying valuable medical items that were already paid for by US taxpayers does nothing to combat waste or improve efficiency," Benoit said in a statement. (AFP)
RTHK
25-07-2025
- RTHK
US plan to destroy US$9.7m of contraceptives slammed
US plan to destroy US$9.7m of contraceptives slammed The stockpile of contraceptive products is currently at a warehouse in Geel, Belgium. Photo: Reuters US plans to destroy nearly US$10 million worth of women's contraception products in Europe sparked outrage from global health NGOs on Thursday, with Doctors Without Borders denouncing the "callous waste". A US State Department spokesperson said, "a preliminary decision was made to destroy certain" birth control products from "terminated Biden-era USAID contracts". The US Agency for International Development (USAID), the country's foreign aid arm, was dismantled by Donald Trump's administration when he returned to office in January. Press reports indicate US$9.7 million worth of implant and IUD contraceptives stored in Belgium are set to be incinerated in France under the plan. "Contraceptives are essential and lifesaving health products," said Avril Benoit, CEO of Doctors Without Borders in the United States. "MSF has seen firsthand the positive health benefits when women and girls can freely make their own health decisions by choosing to prevent or delay pregnancy – and the dangerous consequences when they cannot." The State Department said the destruction will cost US$167,000 and "no HIV medications or condoms are being destroyed". Trump's dismantling of USAID by dismissing thousands of employees and integrating it into the State Department has already had serious consequences. In addition to eliminating a series of programmes providing family planning and abortion services, the Trump administration admitted to destroying tonnes of expired food that was intended to reach malnourished children, but was never distributed. "Destroying valuable medical items that were already paid for by US taxpayers does nothing to combat waste or improve efficiency," Benoit said in a statement. (AFP)
