The U.S. government is currently planning to incinerate $9.7 million worth of contraceptives, including IUDs and implants, meant for women in developing countries. These supplies, some not expiring until 2031, are being destroyed simply because they no longer align with the US administration's agenda.
Experts say this loss could lead to 17.1 million unintended pregnancies and over 34,000 preventable maternal deaths, mostly in countries with fragile health systems like Niger and the DRC. Some organizations offered to pay for shipping and distribution, but were turned away.
This destruction doesn’t just waste taxpayer dollars, it betrays decades of U.S. leadership in global health and family planning. The same administration recently destroyed emergency food aid in the Middle East, despite internal warnings, signaling a dangerous trend of trashing millions of dollars in US taxpayer-funded aid.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has the power to stop this wasteful and deadly move. Ask him: Do the humane, sensible thing. Stop the incineration. Let these supplies save lives.