The Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange /dioxin (VAVA) has welcomed the action plan of the Vietnam-US Dialogue Group on AO/dioxin to mobilise 300 million USD for the next ten years.
“On behalf of AO victims, VAVA sincerely thanks all those who have devoted their energy and work to compile the action plan,” the association said in its statement released on June 17, one day following the dialogue group’s announcement of the 2010-2019 action plan to solve the aftermath of AO in Vietnam .
The VAVA stressed that the Vietnamese government has spent billions of USD on assisting AO victims every month and may have to spend billions more of USD on AO issues in the coming decade.
“Therefore, the action plan, with 300 million USD over 10 years, is far from meeting the demands of AO issues relating to human beings and the environment,” said the association. “But it is a precious and respectable gesture as the victims’ needs are great while Vietnam is still a poor country.”
The statement said that the result has reflected the tireless efforts of not only each individual of the dialogue group but also Vietnamese AO victims and many individuals and organisations in Vietnam , the US , many countries and international forums, which have helped to facilitate the introduction of the plan and promote the friendly relations between Vietnam and the US .
The cooperation and the debut of the action plan have proved that the governments and citizens of the two countries can cooperate in settling outstanding issues left by the war.
The VAVA also expressed hope that details on the implementation of the plan will be announced early to create the basis for joint activities.
In particular, the association noted that ten years or even five years are too long for AO victims who are living in poor conditions with severe pains caused by fatal illnesses that has existed for many decades.
“We hope such victims will be the first beneficiaries of the action plan,” it said./.
“On behalf of AO victims, VAVA sincerely thanks all those who have devoted their energy and work to compile the action plan,” the association said in its statement released on June 17, one day following the dialogue group’s announcement of the 2010-2019 action plan to solve the aftermath of AO in Vietnam .
The VAVA stressed that the Vietnamese government has spent billions of USD on assisting AO victims every month and may have to spend billions more of USD on AO issues in the coming decade.
“Therefore, the action plan, with 300 million USD over 10 years, is far from meeting the demands of AO issues relating to human beings and the environment,” said the association. “But it is a precious and respectable gesture as the victims’ needs are great while Vietnam is still a poor country.”
The statement said that the result has reflected the tireless efforts of not only each individual of the dialogue group but also Vietnamese AO victims and many individuals and organisations in Vietnam , the US , many countries and international forums, which have helped to facilitate the introduction of the plan and promote the friendly relations between Vietnam and the US .
The cooperation and the debut of the action plan have proved that the governments and citizens of the two countries can cooperate in settling outstanding issues left by the war.
The VAVA also expressed hope that details on the implementation of the plan will be announced early to create the basis for joint activities.
In particular, the association noted that ten years or even five years are too long for AO victims who are living in poor conditions with severe pains caused by fatal illnesses that has existed for many decades.
“We hope such victims will be the first beneficiaries of the action plan,” it said./.
