Trump admin orders destruction of contraceptives earmarked for aid

The Trump administration has reportedly ordered the destruction of nearly 10 million dollars in

birth control pills and other contraceptives intended for people in impoverished nations

The pills, intrauterine devices, and hormonal implants were purchased by the U.S. Agency for

International Development before it was largely shuttered earlier this year. Citing a USAID

spokesperson, the New York Times reported the items have already been destroyed

But officials in Belgium now tell Reuters that destruction has yet to happen and the products remain in a warehouse

The products have been in storage in Belgium for months. The Trump administration argues the incineration is necessary because these contraceptives are not life-saving

And the United States has decided it will stop buying birth control products to be distributed in impoverished countries

Internal documents obtained by the Times show that several groups, including the Gates Foundation

and Children's Investment Fund Foundation, offered to buy or take the contraceptives as donations

Belgium's government has also attempted to halt the destruction of the items

A Trump administration spokesperson also tells the Times the products could have been used to induce abortions

But an ysis by the news organization revealed no items were capable of inducing abortions

An official with an international non-governmental organization that provides contraceptives and abortion services in 37 countries condemned the ordered destruction, saying the decision will cost lives

Belgium officials say an inspection of the warehouse where the items are stored showed no shipments have been removed for destruction

They say a request from the U.S. for incineration would be needed to destroy the products, but that has not yet happened

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