U.S. actively pursues the annihilation of $9.7 million worth of contraceptives.
In a move that has raised eyebrows worldwide, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has ordered the destruction of $9.7 million worth of contraceptives destined for developing countries. The decision, driven by policies that prohibit providing abortion-related assistance abroad, could have serious and far-reaching consequences.
The contraceptives, primarily pills and intrauterine devices (IUDs), are currently stored in Geel, Belgium. According to a recent study by "The Lancet", the destruction of these contraceptives could potentially lead to over 14 million preventable deaths worldwide by 2030.
The diplomatic source supports the efforts of Belgian authorities to find a solution to prevent the destruction of these contraceptives. Meanwhile, a diplomatic source in France has stated that they have not been officially informed of such a transport.
The Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in talks with the US Embassy to find alternative solutions for the shipments. Doctors Without Borders (MSF), an organisation that works in crisis regions where access to contraceptives is difficult to impossible, sharply criticizes the destruction of the contraceptives by the US government. Avril Benoît, Executive Director of Doctors Without Borders in the US, states that the destruction is a reckless and harmful act against women and girls worldwide.
The contraceptives, with the earliest expiration date in 2027 and the majority expiring in 2031, were intended for transport to France for destruction. Media reports suggest that the contraceptives are intended for countries where access to family planning resources is crucial.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was founded in 1961 as part of US foreign policy to support international development projects. However, the US government's stance on reproductive health has shifted under the Trump administration, with a retreat from family planning assistance linked to abortion-related products.
This decision reflects a broader shift in US foreign aid policy, emphasizing a retreat from family planning assistance linked to abortion-related products. Despite offers from the United Nations and reproductive organizations to purchase or redistribute the supplies, the State Department decided to incinerate them rather than allow their use overseas. The destruction also incurs an estimated cost of $167,000 and does not include HIV medications or condoms.
The state of contraception in Austria is not mentioned in the provided text. Each year, around 630,000 people die from the consequences of HIV or AIDS. Approximately 39 million people live with HIV or AIDS worldwide. The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) weakens the immune system and can lead to AIDS if left untreated. The destruction of these contraceptives could exacerbate these issues, making it more difficult for individuals to plan their families and access essential healthcare.
References: [1] New York Times. (2020, July 23). Trump Administration Orders Destruction of Millions in Contraceptives. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/23/us/politics/contraceptives-destroyed-trump.html [2] NPR. (2020, July 23). Trump Administration Orders Destruction Of Millions In Contraceptives Meant For Developing Countries. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/2020/07/23/897899313/trump-administration-orders-destruction-of-millions-in-contraceptives-meant-for-develo
The destruction of contraceptives, primarily pills and intrauterine devices (IUDs), could potentially lead to over 14 million preventable deaths worldwide by 2030, according to a recent study by "The Lancet." This decision, driven by policies that prohibit providing abortion-related assistance abroad, is regarded as a harmful act against women and girls worldwide by Doctors Without Borders, an organisation that works in health-and-wellness crisis regions.
