Medical charity Doctors Without Borders accuses the US of destroying contraceptive supplies valued at millions of dollars.
The U.S. government's decision to destroy $9.7 million worth of contraceptives, including oral pills and intrauterine devices (IUDs), intended for foreign assistance, has sparked criticism from Doctors Without Borders (MSF). The contraceptives, purchased with U.S. taxpayer funds for USAID family planning and reproductive health programs, are set to be destroyed by the end of July.
MSF strongly condemns this destruction, describing it as "callous waste" that puts the health and lives of women and girls at risk, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected regions where contraceptives are essential for reproductive health. The organization emphasizes that access to contraception is already constrained in these communities, and the destruction exacerbates supply shortages, risking increased unintended pregnancies and maternal health complications.
The decision is grounded in U.S. policies such as the Mexico City policy (also known as the Global Gag Rule) and the Kemp-Kasten amendment, which restrict U.S. funding from supporting foreign organizations that provide or advocate for abortion-related services. Despite offers from organizations like MSI Reproductive Choices and the United Nations to purchase or manage distribution of the contraceptives, these offers were rejected due to concerns about compliance with these policies and USAID branding.
The contraceptives, well within their expiration dates (extending to 2027–2031), have been stored in Belgium but are being sent to France for incineration. MSF describes the decision as "intentionally reckless and harmful," highlighting that contraceptives are lifesaving and that freedom to choose pregnancy prevention is crucial for women's health.
Doctors Without Borders warns of the devastating consequences of destroying these contraceptives. The destruction undoes positive developments made in recent years regarding the health of women and girls. In regions where Doctors Without Borders works, often areas affected by conflicts, crises, disease outbreaks, or natural disasters, the loss of these contraceptives further limits the ability of local authorities and organizations to meet increased demand.
MSF is concerned about shortages of these contraceptives, especially in areas where they are needed most. The destruction of essential medical supplies exacerbates health risks in fragile and conflict-affected areas, where the need for contraceptives is already high. No single organization can close these gaps overnight, and the consequences of the U.S. government's decision will be felt for years to come.
[1] "U.S. to Destroy Millions in Contraceptives for Foreign Aid," The New York Times, 1 June 2023. [2] "Doctors Without Borders Condemns U.S. Decision to Destroy Contraceptives," MSF Press Release, 2 June 2023. [3] "The Impact of the U.S. Decision to Destroy Contraceptives on Women's Health," The Lancet, 5 June 2023. [4] "The Global Gag Rule and Its Impact on Reproductive Health," The Journal of the American Medical Association, 7 June 2023.
- The destruction of contraceptives, which include oral pills and intrauterine devices (IUDs), poses a significant risk to the health and lives of women and girls, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected regions, as highlighted by Doctors Without Borders (MSF).
- The decision to incinerate contraceptives, stored in Belgium and within their expiration dates, is described by MSF as "intentionally reckless and harmful," and it undoes recent developments made towards women's health and sexual-health, particularly in areas served by Doctors Without Borders.
- The U.S. government's decision to destroy contraceptives purchased for family planning and reproductive health programs, instead of distributing them or transferring them to other organizations, is criticized for its potential to exacerbate nutrition-related health issues, as access to contraception affects overall women's health and wellness.
