Responding to reports in the New York Times that $9.7m worth of USAID contraception has been left in a warehouse and become unusable, Beth Schlachter, MSI Reproductive Choices’ Senior Director of External Relations and Advocacy, said:
“Reports that millions of dollars’ worth of USAID-funded contraceptive supplies destined for low-income nations in Africa have become unusable raise serious concerns. MSI and partners had offered to pay for the shipment and distribution of the supplies, at no additional cost to the US taxpayer, but the Trump administration rejected our offers. While the full circumstances remain unclear, what is evident is that the US government has left essential medical supplies to gather dust instead of allowing them to get to the people who desperately need them at a time of acute global need.
“This is yet one more egregious example of the chaos, confusion and harm caused by decisions driven by political considerations rather than public health priorities. This wanton waste will only add to the suffering of women and girls facing empty shelves and an uncertain future.”
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