Participants at the get-together (Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNA) – A get-together was held by the Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin of Ho Chi Minh City on August 8 to commemorate the 61st anniversary of the AO disaster in Vietnam.
Addressing the event, Major General Tran Ngoc Tho, chairman of the association, thanked all-level authorities, sectors, anddomestic and foreign organisations and individuals for joining hands with the associationin supporting AO/dioxin victims in recent years
He affirmed the Party and State have determined that overcoming the consequences of toxic chemicals used by the US troops during the war in Vietnam is an urgent and long-term issue that must be settled by party committees and administrations at all levels, officials, party members and organisations.
The association has mobilised social resources to care for andassist AO victims and their families.
So far this year, the association has collected over 9.6 billionVND (410,344 USD) in cashand kind to support 10,300 AO/dioxin victims by providing capital, monthlyallowances, medical expenses, and presenting scholarships and wheelchairs.
It has also continued to represent AO/dioxin victims in the struggle toforce the US to take responsibility for overcoming the consequences of toxicchemicals.
According to the association and the Vietnam RedCross Society, an estimated 3 million Vietnamese people have had their healthaffected due to the exposure to toxic chemicals/dioxin, including 20,000 in HCMCity.
Among them, at least 150,000 children sufferfrom inborn defects and at least 1 million people suffer from serious impactsof AO.
Although there have been many support policies for AO victims, manyfamilies having two or three generations suffering from the disaster. They arein dire need of support from the community and society to overcome difficultiesin their life.
On this occasion, the association presented 268scholarships to local children who were victims of AO/dioxin. Meanwhile, 21individuals were awarded the “For Vietnam Agent Orange Victims” insignia in recognition of their great contributions to caringfor and supporting AO/dioxin victims./.
