Taken Question Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC October 6, 2008
U.S. Agency for International Development: Summary of Decision on Marie Stopes International (Taken Question)Question: Did USAID discontinue the provision of US-funded contraceptive commodities to the NGO Marie Stopes International (MSI)?
Answer: MSI is the major implementer of the United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA) family planning program in China. UNFPA’s program in China was found by the State Department, under Kemp-Kasten provisions, to support or participate in the management of a program of coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization. MSI is not, therefore, currently receiving any direct funding from USAID. However, in six countries where USAID donates contraceptive commodities to governments (Ghana, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe), MSI is one of a number of entities that receives these commodities from those governments.
Given these circumstances, USAID informed governments in these six countries that it does not want USAID-funded commodities to be provided to MSI. USAID is continuing to supply the same volume of commodities to these countries and will do everything possible to ensure that its program objectives are accomplished through other partners.
USAID supplies contraceptive commodities to 54 countries around the world.
2008/840
Released on October 6, 2008
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