Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot has appealed to the administration of United States President Donald Trump to reverse plans to destroy a massive stockpile of contraceptives worth an estimated Ksh1.2 billion. The humanitarian supplies, purchased under the Biden administration through USAID, were intended for sub-Saharan Africa, where demand for family planning tools remains high.
Prevot confirmed on Friday, September 5, 2025, that Belgium is using diplomatic channels to pressure Washington against the destruction. The stockpile includes implants and intrauterine devices (IUDs), long considered vital in global reproductive health initiatives.
“We regret the change in policy, but at the very least, what has already been purchased should reach the intended recipients,” Prevot told AFP. He also warned that some of the contraceptives had already been moved from their original warehouse and were at risk of damage due to poor storage conditions.
Reports claiming the contraceptives had been shipped to France for incineration were denied by both Belgian officials and Flemish authorities. According to the Flemish government, the stockpile is currently stored in a warehouse in Geel, Antwerp. A spokesperson stressed that medical supplies cannot be incinerated in the region without a special derogation, which has not been requested.
The Trump administration has overseen sweeping cuts to US foreign aid since January, dismantling USAID and cutting billions from humanitarian budgets. This has raised concerns among aid organizations and the United Nations, who warn of worsening humanitarian shortages, particularly in birth control supplies for Africa.
Earlier this week, a federal judge blocked the administration from letting Ksh634.5 million in congressionally approved aid funding lapse, intensifying pressure on Washington.
Belgium insists that destroying usable contraceptives would not only waste critical resources but also undermine women’s reproductive health programs across Africa, leaving millions vulnerable to unintended pregnancies and health risks.
