The US government has a plan to destroy $9.7 million worth of contraceptives that were purchased with US taxpayer money as part of USAID family planning and reproductive health programs that were shut down earlier this year. This stockpile of contraceptives is in good condition and items are nowhere near their expiration dates. It is estimated that a total of $40 million worth of contraceptives are stuck at various points in the global supply chain.
 
Today MSF USA posted these slides to our social media accounts - https://www.instagram.com/p/DNYcsoUNGw9/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

 
MSF USA is calling on the US government to stop this plan and be transparent about what's happening with these contraceptives and other essential supplies that have already been paid for with US taxpayer dollars but are stuck in ports, warehouses, airports, and other places around the world instead of reaching the people who need them.

We are providing the editable versions of these slides on the MDB for other offices to adapt with their own calls to action, particularly Slides #3 and #4. Only MSF USA is able to make the calls to action focused on the US government, but other offices are encouraged to adapt the language in consultation with their policy/advocacy folks.

For example, this $9.7M stockpile is located in Europe, so a Europe-facing statement condemning this destruction could be impactful. Outside of Europe, it could be a call to the global community, all governments and global health actors to do what they can to ensure these products aren’t destroyed and can reach the people who need them.
 
This is a rapidly changing story, so please use this content as soon as possible. We hope to produce new content when there have been new developments.