US spends $360,000 storing contraceptives meant for African aid, with most supplies nearing expiration

The U.S. government spent roughly $360,000 between January 2025 and March 2026 to keep millions of dollars worth of contraceptives in climate-controlled storage, according to a recent USAID Office of Inspector General advisory. The monthly cost rose from about $17,000 to $24,000 during that period.

The birth control kits were originally destined for low-income countries in Africa, but after significant cuts to USAID under the previous administration they remained in Belgium instead of being shipped abroad.

Out of the $9.7 million in family-planning supplies, only about $1.7 million are still usable, and many of the products face expiration dates beginning in April 2028.