Commemorating the 55th anniversary of the Agent Orange disaster and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Provincial Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin

(Baonghean.vn) - On the morning of August 9, the Provincial Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin held a ceremony to commemorate the 55th anniversary of the Agent Orange disaster in Vietnam (August 10), the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Provincial Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin, and to honor outstanding officials, members, and victims of Agent Orange in the period 2011-2016.

Attending the event were members of the Provincial Party Committee: Cao Thi Hien - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; Le Minh Thong - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Vo Viet Thanh - Secretary of the Vinh City Party Committee; Representatives of the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin; Representatives of leaders of Military Region 4, Departments, branches, sectors, and organizations of the province; leaders of districts, towns, and Vinh city.

During the 10 years from August 10, 1961 to 1971, the US military sprayed 80 million liters of toxic chemicals on South Vietnam, 61% of which was Agent Orange. This was the largest and longest chemical warfare, causing catastrophic consequences. Not only were the environment and ecosystem severely damaged, but millions of our comrades and compatriots became victims of this toxic chemical over the past 55 years.

Colonel Dinh Xuan Tu, Chairman of Nghe An Association of Agent Orange/Dioxin Victims, delivered a commemorative speech.

In Nghe An, Agent Orange has exposed more than 40,000 people, leaving many sequelae, and many families in extremely heartbreaking circumstances.

On behalf of the Provincial People's Committee, Comrade Le Minh Thong praised the achievements that the Association at all levels has achieved in the past time, and shared the pain that the victims of Agent Orange/dioxin are suffering. In order for the Association of Victims of Agent Orange/dioxin to operate effectively, the Vice Chairman requested agencies, departments, sectors, unions, social organizations, businesses, philanthropists and people, through many practical activities, to support, create conditions, help and encourage the victims to overcome difficulties and build an increasingly better life.

Comrade Le Minh Thong, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, authorized to award certificates of merit from the Central Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin to 1 collective and 2 typical individuals.

Nghe An is also one of the early provinces to establish the Association of Agent Orange/Dioxin Victims (September 26, 2006 – September 26, 2016). The Association has operated effectively, contributing to sharing and helping victims and their families overcome difficulties and gradually improve their lives.

Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin gives gifts to members in difficult circumstances.

Since its establishment, the province has mobilized and received over 17 billion VND, built 243 houses (from 10-40 million VND), supported production capital for 442 households (10 million VND each), awarded 171 scholarships, and presented 8,410 gifts for holidays and Tet with a total amount of 15,178,300,000 VND. In addition to the support of the provincial association, districts, cities, sectors, and agencies have also supported the victims with hundreds of millions of VND...

Comrade Le Minh Thong, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, authorized to award commemorative medals of the Central Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin to 29 individuals.

At the ceremony, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin awarded commemorative medals to 29 individuals and certificates of merit to 1 group and 2 individuals.

Comrade Le Minh Thong, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, encouraged Dau Thi Nga (Quynh Van - Quynh Luu), one of two typical individuals awarded a certificate of merit by the Central Association.

Tran Hai - Dam Phuong