The United States has confirmed its intention to destroy reproductive health supplies that were previously allocated as assistance, igniting significant backlash from advocates and humanitarian organizations alike.
On Friday, the US Department of State attributed this decision to regulations governing aid, which prohibit support for groups that either perform or promote abortions.
A State Department spokesperson clarified this issue in a statement to Al Jazeera, emphasizing that only a specific number of commodities would be destroyed, stating, “No HIV medications or condoms are being destroyed.”
The decision has drawn sharp criticism from reproductive health advocates, who argue that the US is opting to incinerate “life-saving contraceptives” instead of handing them over to aid organizations that could distribute them in countries that rely on such support.
Several advocacy groups, including the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), Sensoa, and Countdown 2030 Europe, expressed discontent, labeling the action as “cruel and ideologically driven.”
In a joint statement, these organizations stated, “Despite multiple offers from international humanitarian organizations, governments, and global health actors to purchase or redistribute these supplies, the US government has refused all alternatives.”
They criticized the US’s choice of destruction over distribution, claiming it prioritizes “waste and extremist ideology over care, human rights, safety, and health.”
The groups pointed out that they had offered to transport, repackage, store, and distribute these supplies at no cost to the US government, yet their proposal was rejected.
According to reports from the Reuters news agency, the reproductive health supplies set for destruction in France are valued at approximately $10 million.
The spokesperson for the State Department further stated that the disposal of these commodities, which were purchased during President Joe Biden’s administration, would incur a cost of $167,000.
In contrast, during his time in office, President Donald Trump opted to cancel previously placed orders worth $34.1 million, effectively dismantling many US humanitarian aid programs, including significant reductions to the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
Trump’s approach has been characterized by staunch opposition to abortion, a position he took since initiating his presidential campaign in 2015. His first term saw the appointment of three conservative justices to the US Supreme Court, culminating in the overturning of constitutional rights to abortion in 2022.
The decision to destroy instead of donate or sell reproductive health supplies has faced widespread criticism from numerous international quarters.
Micah Grzywnowicz, regional director of IPPF European Network, remarked that this action reflects a “complete lack of basic empathy,” highlighting the hypocrisy of a government that speaks to efficiency while destroying vital health supplies at a time of pressing need.
Grzywnowicz called the situation unconscionable, emphasizing that such actions impair global public health progress and restrict access to essential care for communities already facing substantial barriers.
Earlier this week, Democratic Congresswoman Judy Chu expressed her horror regarding the Trump administration’s decision, noting the impending waste of taxpayer-funded resources that could instead aid women in need.
In her social media statement, she characterized the move as “cruel, disgraceful, and a needless waste” of taxpayer dollars, pointing to the urgent necessity for accessible reproductive health services.
image source from：aljazeera
