Responding to the US State Department’s plan to destroy USAID contraceptive supplies, Beth Schlachter, MSI’s Senior Director for US External Relations, said:
“The cruel dismantling of USAID has left women around the world struggling to access contraception. At MSI, nine out of 19 countries we surveyed reported they were already facing stockouts of at least one contraceptive method. Empty shelves in clinics and pharmacies mean women won’t be able to delay or avoid pregnancy, leaving lives and futures on the line.
“Now, the US State Department is planning to destroy $9.7m of contraceptive supplies, which have already been paid for by the US taxpayer and are destined for women living in some of the most vulnerable communities. MSI and partners have offered to pay for the shipment and distribution of the supplies, so they can reach the people who desperately need them, but our offer was rejected.
“USAID was accused, without evidence, of wanton waste and inefficiencies, yet now the US State Department seems hellbent on destroying life-saving medical supplies, incurring additional costs for the US taxpayer in the process. Make no mistake, these actions are intentional and will cost lives.”
Notes to Editors
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