Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Nghe An Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin.
On the morning of August 10th, the Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin in Nghe An province held a ceremony to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the Agent Orange disaster in Vietnam and the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin in the province.
Attending the ceremony were Major General, Dr. Do Hong Lam - Standing Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin; and from Nghe An province, Ms. Vo Thi Minh Sinh - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the province; and Mr. Thai Van Thanh - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee.
The speech at the ceremony reviewed the process of the US military spraying Agent Orange/dioxin over South Vietnam and the severe consequences for the environment and people over many generations. Agent Orange/dioxin has exposed approximately 4.8 million Vietnamese people, of whom more than 3 million are victims.
In Nghe An province, according to statistics, more than 30,000 people who participated in the resistance war were exposed to chemical toxins. To date, more than 600 people of the third generation have been affected by Agent Orange/dioxin; at the same time, cases of the fourth generation have emerged.
To care for and protect the legitimate rights and interests of Agent Orange victims, since its establishment in 2006, the Nghe An Provincial Association of Agent Orange/Dioxin Victims has consistently affirmed its role as a core humanitarian social organization in caring for and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of Agent Orange victims in the province. From the resources mobilized, the Association has implemented many practical and effective activities such as supporting the construction of 300 new houses and repairing 168 houses for disadvantaged families of victims; providing livelihood support for 510 people, awarding 200 scholarships to children of victims who overcome difficulties and excel in their studies; providing hundreds of wheelchairs and mobility aids; visiting and encouraging over 2,000 sick victims; and supporting medical examinations for thousands of victims... These practical supports have helped many victims and their families overcome difficulties, improve their lives, and integrate into the community.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Standing Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin, Do Hong Lam, highly appreciated the comprehensive results achieved by the Nghe An Provincial Association over the past 20 years, affirming that the province's organizational system is becoming increasingly strong and effective. He also acknowledged the important bridging role of the Association at all levels in mobilizing resources from agencies, businesses, and philanthropists to support Agent Orange/dioxin victims in overcoming their difficulties. He requested the provincial association to continue providing support so that its staff can work wholeheartedly and diligently, contributing to alleviating the suffering caused by Agent Orange.
Speaking at the anniversary ceremony, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Thai Van Thanh affirmed: The achievements of the Association over the past 20 years are an important foundation for the Association to continue to do even better in caring for Agent Orange victims in the future. He requested the Provincial Association to continue to innovate and be creative in its activities, strengthen its focus on the grassroots level and on each Agent Orange victim to help them overcome difficulties and rise up in life; and requested agencies, departments, businesses, organizations, and individuals to continue to join hands with the Association so that each Agent Orange victim does not feel alone and their pain is lessened…
On this occasion, the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin and the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Nghe An province awarded Certificates of Merit to outstanding collectives and individuals; the Central Association donated 50 million VND to the Nghe An Provincial Association to support the livelihoods of victims of chemical poisoning. The Provincial Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin also presented gifts to 27 victims, each gift worth 1.7 million VND.
