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Sensoa, La Fédération Laïque des Centres de Planning Familial, Le Planning Familial, and International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) call on the Belgian government to continue negotiations to save the remaining contraceptive supplies in Geel. These organizations are also asking that there be no (further) cuts to international cooperation and support for sexual and reproductive health and rights. The latter demand is also directed at European policymakers. 20 shipments of contraceptives lost The damage caused by Trump's war on women appears to be greater than expected: in addition to the already known stock of contraceptives, stored correctly in a warehouse in Geel (4 truckloads worth $9.7 million), it is now confirmed there are another 20 truckloads at an unknown location in Kallo. The conditions of the medical products in the trucks are not controlled, and most of it has already likely become unusable. This is evident from the response of Flemish Minister of the Environment Jo Brouns to a parliamentary question from Mieke Schauvliege, Flemish member of parliament for Groen. As a reminder, since President Trump dismantled USAID, the US Agency for International Development, he has wanted to burn a stockpile of contraceptives stored in Belgium. These supplies were intended for women in 13 countries in total: destination countries include DR Congo, Tanzania, Haiti, Mali & Kenya among other places, many of which are already facing severe humanitarian crises. The Belgian government has since been in negotiations with the US government to save this stockpile. The human cost of the lost stockpile is great and will impact the lives of thousands of women.   President Trump will have millions of deaths on his conscienceNot only is Trump's policy deliberately cruel and morally reprehensible, it is also a waste of useful (contraceptive) resources and therefore millions of dollars. This is the result of politicians deciding to abruptly cut back on international cooperation, which rolls back the progress made over de past years. The discontinuation of USAID will cause 14 million deaths worldwide by 2030, including 4.5 million children under the age of five.  European governments must not cut back on international solidarity It is clear that budget cuts have a major impact on women’s health. Voices are now growing louder at the European level to also cut back on international cooperation, including SRHR. So instead of trying to fill the gap the US is leaving, European governments are making it even bigger.The Belgian government has plans to cut back on international solidarity by 25%. Belgian press is reporting that these cuts could be increased even further. This would further widen the gap already created by Trump. SRHR organisations does not want any further cuts to international solidarity funding. "Since the discontinuation of USAID support, it has become much more difficult to continue our services. Our contraceptive supplies are exhausted and new deliveries are sporadic. Previously, anyone who wanted to avoid pregnancy could come to us and choose the contraceptive that suited them. Now women have to switch to whatever is available, or we cannot help them." Dr. Bakari Omary of UMATI, Project Coordinator at Umati, IPPF's Member Association in Tanzania  Practical information and contact information of spokespersons:More background on the USAID supplies: read our previous statement here, here and hereIPPF EN Media, enpress@ippf.org Sara Salarkiya, International Policy Advisor at Sensoa sara.salarkiya@sensoa.beBoris Cruyssaert, Communications, Sensoa boris.cruyssaert@sensoa.be Sarah Durocher, President, Le Planning familialsarah.durocher@planning-familial.org 

In a matter of hours, the Trump Administration will be enacting a cruel and ideologically driven decision to destroy $10 million worth of life-saving contraceptives - resources that were procured by U.S. taxpayer funds to support critical health needs in partner countries across the Global South, including those of 218 million women facing an unmet need for contraceptive care.This is an intentional act of reproductive coercion.Despite multiple offers from international humanitarian organizations, governments and global health actors to purchase or redistribute these supplies, the U.S. government has refused all alternatives. Instead, they are choosing waste and extremist ideology over care, human rights, safety and health. Reports indicate that the cost of destroying these supplies may reach $167.000 paid by American citizens. This decision is not about money: IPPF has offered to collect the products in Brussels, to transport and repack the products in its warehouse in The Netherlands and to distribute the products onwards to women in need across the globe. All at no cost to the US government. This decision is about imposing an anti-rights agenda on the entire world that denies women the choice of when and how many children to have, and denies people the opportunity to protect themselves against HIV and other STIs. “It’s the height of hypocrisy for a government to preach efficiency and cutting waste, only to turn around and recklessly destroy life-saving supplies when the need has never been greater. This isn’t just inefficient — it’s unconscionable.” said Micah Grzywnowicz, Regional Director of IPPF European Network. “This action seriously undermines global public health efforts and limits access to essential care, particularly for communities already facing significant barriers. It reflects a troubling disregard for the rights and well-being of those most in need, as well as complete lack of basic empathy.”The Trump Administration has been relentless in its obsession with controlling women’s bodies - not only in the United States, but globally. This is the latest attack in a long-term campaign to dismantle access to sexual and reproductive health care around the world. According to a survey run by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), these attacks could result in 8.5 million people worldwide being denied lifesaving SRH care.  Now, pallets of contraceptives sit unused in warehouses—including one in Geel, Belgium—awaiting destruction. These are allegedly already scheduled for incineration in France in the coming days.Nico Bogaerts, Director of Sensoa, the Flemish expertise centre on sexual health: "Destroying the USAID supplies stocked in Geel, Belgium is incredibly wasteful. That the US government would prefer to pay to destroy supplies they have already paid for, instead of releasing them to other organizations is cruel. These supplies could save people's lives. We strongly encourage the Belgian and French governments to find a way to save them from incineration and to ensure that they reach people who need them."Sarah Durocher, President of Le Planning familial, IPPF French Member Association: “France has the moral responsibility to act. A government that proudly enshrines abortion rights in its Constitution must also work to protect contraception and the rights of young girls beyond its borders. With its voice respected on the international stage, the French government cannot stay silent while contraceptive supplies are being destroyed and thousands of people are put in danger.”We call on the French company that would be responsible for destroying these contraceptives to reconsider its role. They have an immense moral and societal responsibility. The company has the power to reject this agreement. Sexual and reproductive rights are not a commodity like any other to be discarded.At the same time, we urge the U.S. Administration to immediately halt this senseless destruction. These cruel actions will have far-reaching consequences — and they will cost lives.This moment demands leadership rooted in dignity and humanity. It is only right that everyone can choose whether and when to have children, to be who we are and love who we love, and for our children to be taught about having safe, healthy, and happy relationships. We have the collective moral obligation to work with people around the world to build communities in which everyone can flourish and thrive.   Signatories:Fédération Laïque de Centres de Planning Familial (FLCPF), BelgiumInternational Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF)Le Planning familial, FrancePlanned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA)Sensoa, BelgiumCountdown 2030 EuropeMSI Reproductive Choices Media contacts:IPPF Media, media@ippf.org  Heleen Heysse, International Policy Officer, Sensoaheleen.heysse@sensoa.be Boris Cruyssaert, Communications, Sensoa boris.cruyssaert@sensoa.be  Sarah Durocher, President, Le Planning familialsarah.durocher@planning-familial.org  

April 8th, 2025 - A new project titled "Providing Critical Sexual, Reproductive and Maternal Health Care to Internally Displaced People and Local Communities in Yemen" has been launched. Funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by IPPF Member Association in Yemen, the Yemeni Association for Reproductive Health (YARH), the project aims to enhance and sustain high-quality sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services and awareness for Yemen’s crisis-affected populations in Aden and Amran. Following years of conflict and instability, Yemen's humanitarian needs remain severe, with an estimated 19.5 million people in need of assistance (OCHA). Internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and host communities are particularly affected, struggling to access essential maternal, newborn, and reproductive healthcare.  The new funding will allow for expanded services, ensuring lifesaving care reaches more communities, particularly women, youth, and newborns. It aims to reduce maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity while improving care for survivors of gender-based violence. Additionally, community outreach and capacity-building programmes will empower individuals with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health and rights. Key activities include: Renovating and upgrading two health facilities (one in each project governorate) to provide high-quality SRH, maternal and child health, and gender-based violence (GBV) services, as well as nutrition and cholera treatment. Ensuring IDPs, host communities, and returnees receive critical reproductive healthcare, including antenatal and postnatal care, family planning, and emergency obstetric and newborn care. Training healthcare professionals from YARH and other local health facilities in the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP), Clinical Management of Rape, and sexual reproductive health in emergencies (SRHiE). Conducting 480 awareness-raising sessions led by trained peer educators to educate nearly 5,000 individuals on SRH, HIV, cholera, nutrition, and gender-based violence. Training 40 community and youth peer educators to strengthen SRH education and advocacy efforts in local communities. H.E. Mr. NAKASHIMA Yoichi, Ambassador of Japan to Yemen stated, “Ensuring access to quality maternal and reproductive health services for crisis-affected communities underscores our commitment to supporting vulnerable populations in Yemen. We look forward to beginning this new project”. Dr. Ali Norman, Executive Director of YARH, emphasised, “By strengthening health infrastructure, training healthcare workers, and engaging communities, we are improving the health and well-being of mothers, newborns, and families across the region. We are grateful for the support from the Government of Japan.” Dr. Fadoua Bakhadda, Regional Director of the IPPF Arab World Regional Office, added, “This support ensures that we can keep delivering essential SRH services to communities in greatest need. This funding will be transformative for women, children, and families in Yemen, particularly in underserved areas.” Over the course of this project, it is anticipated that: Over 10,000 women, newborns, and young people will receive quality SRH and maternal health services. 1,000 women will be reached with gender-based violence services. Over 4,000 internally displaced persons and host community members will receive information on sexual and reproductive health and rights, including GBV and other health services. Peer educators will be trained in communication skills, basic health, hygiene, and SRHR education. Healthcare service providers will receive specialised training to enhance the quality of SRH services in emergencies.  About YARH Established in June 2009 as a not-for-profit voluntary non-governmental organisation, the Yemeni Association for Reproductive Health (YARH) is registered with the Ministry of Social Affairs and became an IPPF Member Association in 2010. Through two clinics and one youth-friendly service centre, YARH provides quality SRH services to people in Yemen. The organisation plays a key role in building strategic partnerships with other entities focused on young people’s programmes and actively involves youth in identifying, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating projects. YARH is a strong advocate for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Key partnerships include the Ministry of Public Health (Department of Reproductive Health, National AIDS Programme, General Directorate for Women's and Child's Health), the Ministry of Youth and Sports (Scouts, Guides, and Sport Clubs), Sana’a University, the Population Research and Studies Centre, local NGOs active in reproductive health, private universities, and organisations focused on human rights, gender equality, and women's rights, including the Women's National Committee and the National Information Centre. About IPPF Arab World Office The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) Arab World Office is a leading healthcare provider and advocate for SRHR in North Africa and the Middle East. Established in 1971, it is one of IPPF’s six regional offices, supporting a network of member associations across the region. IPPF AWR is committed to delivering essential health services and championing reproductive rights, particularly in crisis and humanitarian settings.