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US Taxpayers Foot Bill for Expired Aid Supplies
15 Jun
Summary
- Contraceptives worth $9.7 million are stored in Belgium.
- Storage costs have amounted to $360,667 since January 2025.
- The U.S. government reversed an order to destroy the stock.
Contraceptives valued at approximately $9.7 million, originally purchased for distribution in developing nations, are currently unusable and accumulating significant storage expenses in Belgium. These vital supplies have been warehoused since January 2025, following a halt in U.S. foreign aid. The cost associated with storing and transporting this stock has reached $360,667 between January 2025 and March of this year.
Initially, the U.S. government ordered the destruction of the contraceptives. However, during the process, approximately $8 million worth became unusable due to inadequate storage conditions. In September, the U.S. reversed its decision to destroy the entire stock. A proposal to donate the remaining $1.7 million in usable contraceptives to Uganda for $239,000 is currently under consideration.
