US destroys $10 million worth of contraceptives destined for developing countries

Stored in a warehouse in Belgium, the contraceptives were destroyed by order of President Donald Trump's administration, at an unknown location. The news was reported this Friday by The New York Times , citing an official at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), an agency currently under the jurisdiction of the U.S. State Department.

The destroyed contraceptives, which included birth control pills and intrauterine devices (IUDs), were worth $10 million and were destined for developing countries.

"President Trump is committed to protecting the lives of unborn children around the world," said a statement cited by the newspaper, which added that the United States will no longer provide contraceptives "under the guise" of foreign aid.

The US also prohibited any assistance, direct or indirect, to foreign non-governmental organizations that “actively perform or promote abortion as a method of family planning.”

According to the New York Times , based on official documents from the State Department and USAID, several organizations have offered to purchase or accept donations of contraceptives.

However, the US Administration decided to destroy the products, an operation estimated at 167 thousand dollars.

The destruction of the storage had already been announced in July.