US to Destroy $9.7 Million Worth of Contraceptives Procured Under USAID

The United States government plans to incinerate $9.7 million worth of contraceptives that were purchased under the US Agency for International Development (USAID), rather than distribute them to women globally. This decision follows the dismantling of foreign aid programs under the Trump administration.

According to a State Department spokesperson, the cost of destroying the contraceptives currently stored in a warehouse in Geel, Belgium will be around $167,000. Belgium’s foreign ministry has since initiated diplomatic discussions with the US embassy to find alternative solutions.

The contraceptives, which include IUDs, injectables, implants, and hormone tablets, are mostly set to expire between 2027 and 2031. A congressional aide explained that due to their high hormone levels, the products must be double incinerated to avoid environmental contamination, further increasing costs.

The decision has sparked backlash from lawmakers, health organizations, and reproductive rights groups. Critics argue that these contraceptives could still be used to benefit millions in developing nations. US Senator Jeanne Shaheen is pushing for legislation to prohibit such destruction unless all donation or resale options have been exhausted.

The supplies were reportedly offered to be shipped and repackaged at no cost by MSI Reproductive Choices and its partners, but the US government rejected the proposal. The State Department cited the “Mexico City policy,” also known as the “global gag rule,” which restricts US funding to any NGOs that provide or promote abortion services.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) clarified that contraceptives are not abortifacients, stressing that they prevent pregnancy rather than end it.

Organizations like Doctors Without Borders (MSF) expressed concern over potential shortages in conflict-affected regions that once relied on USAID supplies. MSF warned that the decision could exacerbate reproductive health challenges for vulnerable women and girls globally.

Adding to the uncertainty, more USAID contraceptives are reportedly stored in the UAE, but the US government’s plans for these remain unclear.

The move comes amid sweeping changes in US foreign aid strategy. The newly-formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has taken over responsibilities from USAID, resulting in the elimination of thousands of aid programs. A study published in The Lancet warns that these funding cuts could lead to over 14 million preventable deaths by 2030.