U.S.-funded contraceptives worth nearly $10 million, stored in a warehouse in Geel, Belgium, are being sent to France for incineration in 2025. The destruction follows President Donald Trump’s freeze on foreign aid and the reinstatement of the Mexico City policy, which restricts funding to abortion-related services.
Offers from MSI Reproductive Choices and the United Nations to cover repackaging, shipping and costs were declined as the U.S. government required full market value sales.
The contraceptives, which include pills, implants and IUDs meant for poor countries, will expire between 2027 and 2031. The incineration will cost $160,000, drawing criticism as an ideological assault on reproductive rights.
Lawmakers have introduced bills to stop the destruction, but ideological barriers and failed negotiations suggest the supplies will be destroyed, causing harm to women’s health in affected regions.
