US to Destroy $9.7m in Contraceptives, Sparking Fears of Health Crisis in Africa

US to Destroy $9.7m in Contraceptives, Sparking Fears of Health Crisis in Africa
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The US government’s decision to incinerate more than $9.7m (£7.3m) worth of contraceptives is expected to cause 174,000 unintended pregnancies and 56,000 unsafe abortions in five African nations, The Guardian reported. According to the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), 77% of the supplies were destined for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, and Mali.

The contraceptives, many not expiring until 2027–29, had been manufactured and packaged for distribution. IPPF offered to redistribute them at no cost to US taxpayers, but the offer was rejected. The organisation warned the loss would deny more than 1.4 million women and girls access to essential reproductive healthcare. Supplies impacted include over 1 million injectable contraceptives in Tanzania, 1.2 million oral contraceptives in Mali, and tens of thousands of implants in Zambia and Kenya.

The US State Department cited restrictions under US law prohibiting aid to organisations involved in abortion services or advocacy. Rights groups have condemned the move, warning it will deepen existing shortages, reduce healthcare access, and increase maternal mortality in countries already facing high unmet need for contraception.