In a move that has sparked international concern, nearly $10 million in contraceptives—originally purchased through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)—are set to be discarded instead of distributed to global health programs.
The stockpile, which includes long-term birth control options such as implants, IUDs, and hormone-based pills, is currently housed in a warehouse in Geel, Belgium. Many of the items are still within their shelf life, with some not set to expire until 2031, according to CNN.
The decision to destroy the supplies follows recent changes in how the U.S. handles foreign aid. Earlier this month, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the State Department would now take direct control of foreign assistance. This policy shift coincides with the shutdown of USAID, part of a broader overhaul led by the Department of Government Efficiency.
This transition has impacted various international health efforts, including reproductive care initiatives that previously depended on deliveries from USAID. The contraceptives in storage were acquired through older contracts that are no longer active.