Thousands of contraceptives destined for developing countries ruined in Belgium

Around 20 truckloads of contraceptives stored in Kallo, East Flanders, have become unusable, Flemish environment minister Jo Brouns confirmed this week. The shipment, intended for countries with limited healthcare access, includes birth control pills, implants and intrauterine devices (IUDs).

The supplies, originally funded by the now-defunct US aid agency USAID, were left in unsuitable storage conditions. Belgium’s Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAMHP) said the drugs are no longer safe to use, though medical items such as syringes remain salvageable.

Earlier this year, it emerged that another 26 million condoms, contraceptives and HIV medicines worth 8.4 million euros are sitting unused in a warehouse in Geel under proper storage. Their distribution has also been halted following the dismantling of USAID after president Donald Trump withdrew its funding.

White House refuses to release millions of contraceptives from Belgian warehouse

A diplomatic offensive by Belgium has failed to secure the release of millions of condoms and HIV inhibitors from a US government agency USAID, De...

belganewsagency.eu

Sexual health organisation Sensoa called the situation both “cruel and wasteful”. It urged Belgium to continue negotiations to rescue the remaining stock in Geel and warned that the loss will have “a serious human impact on thousands of women”.

The US government has reportedly ordered the destruction of the remaining contraceptives, viewing some as potential aids to abortion. Belgian diplomatic efforts to release the stock have so far failed.

^{#FlandersNewsService | © ​ MANAN VATSYAYANA / AFP}