Belgium‘s Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot has called on the Trump administration to abandon its plan to destroy a massive stockpile of contraceptives intended for sub-Saharan Africa.
The supplies, valued at approximately $10 million, include implants and intrauterine devices crucial for birth control initiatives in some of the world’s poorest countries.
Prevot emphasized the importance of these contraceptives, stating, “whether here at the US Embassy or directly in Washington, we have intervened to say, ‘oK, you are changing your policy. We regret it, but please at least allow what has already been purchased to reach the appropriate recipients.'”
The Belgian diplomat also highlighted that a portion of the supplies had been relocated from their original warehouse and were being stored in poor conditions.
The Flemish government, which oversees the warehouse in Geel, Belgium, clarified that incinerating the supplies would require a formal exemption due to the region’s ban on destroying medical waste. “To date, we have not received any such request,” a spokesperson said, expressing willingness to engage with US authorities.
This development is part of the Trump administration’s broader overhaul of US foreign aid, which has included dismantling the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and slashing billions of dollars in humanitarian funding.
Humanitarian organizations and UN officials have warned of critical supply shortages, particularly in addressing hunger, disease, and preventing unwanted pregnancies.
Destroying the contraceptive stockpile would have severe consequences for sub-Saharan Africa, where access to family planning resources is already limited.
The region faces significant challenges, including high rates of unintended pregnancies, maternal mortality, and infant mortality. The destruction of these supplies would exacerbate these issues, potentially leading to increased health risks for women and children.
Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot has been actively advocating against the destruction of the contraceptives through diplomatic channels. “We continue through diplomatic channels to vigorously advocate against such waste,” Prevot said, emphasizing the importance of allowing the already purchased supplies to reach their intended recipients. The Flemish government has also expressed willingness to engage with US authorities on the matter.
The Trump administration’s plan to destroy the contraceptives is part of a broader overhaul of US foreign aid.
The administration has dismantled the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and slashed billions of dollars in humanitarian funding, sparking concerns about shortages in critical supplies.
Humanitarian organizations and UN officials have warned that these cuts would have devastating effects on vulnerable populations worldwide.
Some potential alternatives to destruction could include:
- Redistribution: Redirecting the supplies to other countries or organizations that could utilize them effectively.
- Partnerships: Collaborating with other governments, NGOs, or private organizations to find alternative uses for the contraceptives.
- Storage and Future Use: Storing the supplies for future use, potentially in response to emerging health crises or increased demand for family planning resources.