International reproductive rights groups slam the Trump administration’s decision as ‘cruel and ideologically driven’.Washington, DC – The United States has confirmed reports that it will destroy reproductive health supplies previously designated as assistance, sparking fury from advocates and aid groups.
The US Department of State said on Friday that the decision stems from US regulations that restrict aid to groups that perform or promote abortions.
“Only a limited number of commodities have been approved for disposal. No HIV medications or condoms are being destroyed,” a State Department spokesperson told Al Jazeera in a statement.
Reproductive health advocates decried the US decision on Friday, saying that Washington is incinerating “life-saving contraceptives” rather than handing them to aid groups to distribute them in poorer countries.
Several advocacy groups – including International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), Sensoa and Countdown 2030 Europe – released a statement calling the US move a “cruel and ideologically driven”.
“Despite multiple offers from international humanitarian organisations, governments and global health actors to purchase or redistribute these supplies, the US government has refused all alternatives,” the statement said.
“Instead, they are choosing waste and extremist ideology over care, human rights, safety and health.”
The groups said they offered to transport, repack, store and distribute the supplies at “no cost to the US government”, but their proposal was turned down.
The Reuters news agency had reported that the supplies, set to be destroyed in France, are worth $10m. Advertisement
The State Department spokesperson said the destruction of t …
