Visiting the VietnamAssociation of Victims of Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin (VAVA) in Hanoi onDecember 24, President Sang also lauded VAVA officials, honourarymembers and volunteers for their efforts in support of the victims,affirming that this is an urgent and long-term duty of both thepolitical system and the whole people.
He asked theassociation to proactively give consultations to the Party and State onaddressing consequences by the toxic chemical.
VAVAPresident Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Van Rinh said that the association hasestablished its chapters in 59 cities and provinces with over 315,000members.
It has relations with about 500 organisations and individuals in 30 nations around the world in its struggle for justice.
According to VAVA, US forces sprayed 80 million litres of Agent Orangetotalling almost 400 kg of dioxin on Vietnam’s southern battlefieldsduring a 10-year period beginning on August 10, 1961.
Preliminary statistics by Vietnamese scientists indicated about 3million Vietnamese people were exposed to dioxin. The toxicchemical still has a severe impacts on Vietnam’s filial generationstoday.-VNA