Health groups warn of more unintended pregnancies after Trump freezes aid

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestylePresident Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio attend a cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room at the White House (Reuters)Marco Rubio informed Congress that the United States will cease global distribution of contraceptives, citing an executive directive from Donald Trump and stating foreign aid should serve national interests. This decision leaves nearly $10 million in taxpayer-funded contraceptive supplies, intended for low-income countries, in a Belgian warehouse, with some already destroyed and others nearing expiry. The move has drawn strong condemnation from humanitarian and reproductive health organizations, who warn of severe consequences including increased unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and maternal deaths. Organizations like MSI Reproductive Choices report that the US withdrawal has led to critical shortages and a collapse in distribution networks across sub-Saharan Africa, with 14 of 16 countries at risk of running out of contraception. Critics argue the refusal to release the existing stockpile, despite widespread need, is an ideological stance that undermines decades of US leadership in family planning and creates a significant funding gap that other donors cannot fill. In fullTrump administration refuses to distribute up to $10m in contraceptives bought as aid: ‘It’s as simple as that’Thank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

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