Millions of contraceptives bound for African NGOs sit idle in Belgium

Humanitarian contraceptive supplies destined for African NGOs have been languishing in a Geel warehouse in Belgium for more than a year. The consignment, comprising oral contraceptives, intrauterine devices and condoms, was procured by USAID under the direction of the U.S. president at the time. However, the subsequent U.S. administration terminated the USAID program that had placed the order, leaving the shipment without a clear path to distribution.

The blocked supplies were meant for women in refugee camps and war-affected regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and Mali. With the items approaching their shelf-life limits, officials are seeking a solution to release them to the intended beneficiaries. The delay highlights how policy shifts can disrupt aid logistics and affect vulnerable populations.