AVA calls for better care for AO victims

The Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin (VAVA) has called for better care for people affected by the toxic chemical sprayed by the US troops during the war.

At a working session with Ha Thi Khiet, head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Mass Mobilisation, in Hanoi on September 5, VAVA President Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Rinh suggested strengthening the Party leadership in addressing consequences of the chemical warfare in Vietnam.

Vice Chairmain of Tien Giang Association for Victims of Agent Orrange/Dioxin Duong Thi Le visited Phan Thi Linh Da family in 4 hamlet, An Huu villiage, Cai Be district. Photo: Anh Dau

Khiet took note of difficulties that the association has met while looking after the AO victims.

In the foreseeable future, the five-year implementation of Conclusion No.292-BT/TW on these issues will be reviewed, she said, adding that a review committee will be established later this month.

From 1961-1971, the US troops sprayed more than 80 million litres of herbicides - 44 million litres of which were AO that contained nearly 370kg of dioxin - over southern Vietnam.

As a result, around 4.8 million Vietnamese people were exposed to the toxic chemical. Many of the victims have died, while millions of their descendants are living with deformities and diseases due to the chemical’s effects.

Vietnam has adopted a number of policies specifically designed for Agent Orange (AO)/Dioxin victims, supporting them with vocational training and medical treatment.

However, supporting policies for the victims should be updated and improved regularly as only 300,000 out of the three million people affected by the toxic chemical benefit from the incentives.

Established in 2004, VAVA now has chapters in 59 cities and provinces with over 315,000 members. It has raised more than 800 billion VND (37.8 million USD) in and outside the country to repair and build houses, grant scholarships, and offer relief for AO victims and their families.

(Source: VNA)