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3w ago

Contraceptives Depart Belgian Warehouse as France and Belgium Seek to Halt U.S. Incineration Plan

European governments are escalating diplomatic efforts after removal trucks left Geel without clarity on whether the $9.7 million stockpile will be destroyed or redirected to women in need.

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FILE - Irene A Kerkulah, the health officer in charge at the Palala Clinic, looks at an almost-empty shelf at the clinic that once held contraceptives, in Bong County, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Annie Risemberg, File)

Overview

  • Some contraceptive shipments began leaving the USAID stockpile in Geel 36 hours ago but their destination and fate remain unconfirmed.
  • The U.S. State Department approved incineration of $9.7 million worth of abortifacient contraceptives at a projected cost of $167,000 under the reinstated Mexico City Policy.
  • International Planned Parenthood Federation, MSI Reproductive Choices and UNFPA offered to repackage and redistribute the supplies at no cost but were turned down by U.S. authorities.
  • Belgium’s foreign affairs ministry is in urgent contact with U.S. officials to explore temporary relocation or alternative solutions for the stockpile.
  • France’s health ministry has backed Belgium’s intervention and a petition of over 10,000 signatures urges President Macron to stop the planned destruction.