As a part of US President Donald Trump’s announcement about foreign aid cuts, the State Department has stated that the U.S. will be incinerating contraceptives, even those that are not expired and already paid for, by the end of July. Among these are nearly $10 million worth of contraceptives sitting unused in a Belgian warehouse, to be incinerated. As stated in The New York Times, USAID has reported that these contraceptives have been destroyed, yet a conflicting statement from Belgian authorities claims that the contraceptives are still there. Regardless of whether the contraceptives have been destroyed, the ripple effect affecting contraceptive access stemming from the USAID contract has been and will be felt.
The cuts to contraceptive access are likely to affect the 47 million women and couples the US assists each year, most of whom live in war zones and refugee camps. For instance, those slated for destruction in the Belgian warehouse were originally set to be sent to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, and Mali, all of which experience high poverty rates or conflict. These countries experience extreme strain on their healthcare systems and the sudden withdrawal of contraceptives could definitely worsen the challenges faced by women and families.
Aside from contraceptives, there are many other reproductive health products affected by the USAID cuts as well. The US has also cut off aid to any organization that provides abortion services, and even those that advocate for abortion services, cutting many people off from an important reproductive procedure. The administration has also claimed that the contraceptives that were to be destroyed were “abortifacient,” or causing premature termination similar to an abortion.
So why does this matter? In the conflict-torn regions where many of these products are sent, contraceptives are vital to preventing unwanted pregnancies and reducing maternal mortality in regions with poor access to healthcare. Similarly, contraceptives can be vital in preventing long-term health effects for both women and their potential infants. It can also be used to treat infections stemming from sexual violence, which may be more widespread in these regions.
Thankfully, many have been taking action to save these lifesaving products. Over 70 organizations, from both the US and internationally, have come together and sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging him not to destroy the contraceptives. Hopefully, the US federal government can take heed, in the process saving millions of lives.
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