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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.