A teacher teaches children of AO victims in Bao Loc city in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - The Communist Party USA will continue assisting the alleviation of hardship among Vietnamese Agent Orange victims, Chairman John Bachtell stated during his meeting with the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/dioxin (VAVA) in Hanoi on April 5.
He said his party will disseminate information on Vietnamese Agent Orange victims’ lawsuit against US chemical companies, particularly to young Americans, and mobilise local support for the case.
At the meeting, Bachtell handed over the VAVA a list of signatures of US citizens backing the Vietnamese victims’ fight for justice.
VAVA Chairman Nguyen Van Rinh expressed his appreciation for the US party’s help that is not only directed toward AO/dioxin victims, but also the protection of Vietnam’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Both host and guest agreed that the Communist Party USA’s working visit to Vietnam this time will contribute to elevating ties with the Communist Party of Vietnam and boosting relations between the two nations.
About 80 million litres of toxic chemicals, mainly Agent Orange containing dioxin, were sprayed over the south of Vietnam during 1961-1971. Nearly 4.8 million Vietnamese people were exposed to the chemicals and about three million people and their descendants suffer from health problems as a consequence of the exposure until today.
Every year, Vietnam spends 10 trillion VND (450 million USD) on aid programmes for the AO community. In recent years, the US government has supported the Southeast Asia country in mine and toxic chemical clearance.-VNA
