An wounded soldier in the central Quang Nam Province's Dai Loc District whose four children are Agent Orange victims is given financial support. The Viet Nam Association of Victims of Agent Orange (AO) and Dioxin was urged to garner more support from both home and abroad to care for the victims. — VNA/VNS Photo Duong Ngoc
HA NOI (VNS) — President Truong Tan Sang has praised the Viet Nam Association of Victims of Agent Orange (AO) and dioxin (VAVA) for its efforts in support of victims of the war-time toxin.
During a meeting with the association yesterday, President Sang asked members of the association to provide advice to the Party and State on addressing the consequences of use of the toxic chemicals during the war.
Sang also called on Vietnamese people at home and abroad, as well as international friends, to continue supporting Agent Orange and dioxin victims.
VAVA President Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Van Rinh said the organization has established relations with some 500 organisations and individuals in 30 nations throughout the world in its struggle for justice for victims of Agent Orange.
About 80 million litres of herbicides, mainly Agent Orange containing dioxin, were sprayed over South Viet Nam during the Viet Nam War.
Nearly 4.8 million Vietnamese people were exposed to dioxin and around 3 million suffer from health problems today.
Playing a key role
At VAVA’s third National Congress yesterday Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam sai it played an important role in dealing the consequences of AO victims.
The association had been instrumental in lawsuits against US chemical companies that produced Agent Orange which was sprayed across Vietnam during the war.
He called on the association to garner more support from both home and abroad to care for the victims.
The association’s efforts had drawn attention from the Party Committee and authorities at all levels, and received a warm response from the public, he said.
During the 2013-2018 tenure, the association will continue the to fight for justice for AO victims.
Established in January 2004, the association has chapters in 59 cities and provinces with over 315,000 members. It has set up funds in 33 localities and 24 health centres in 20 provinces and cities.
It has raised nearly VND718 billion (US$34 million) from in and outside the country to repair and build houses, grant scholarships and generate jobs for AO victims and their families. — VNS
Đăng ký: VietNam News