Sharing the pain of Agent Orange

(Baonghean.vn) - More than half a century has passed since the day the American invaders sprayed Agent Orange on Vietnam (August 10, 1961 - August 10, 2012). Agent Orange still exists in the blood, in the soil, in breast milk, in livestock and in many primeval forests, causing much suffering to the victims of this toxic substance.

Visiting some families in Hung Xa commune (Hung Nguyen district), we felt the great loss of human fate. Many people were born with disabilities, some were born without the ability to speak or laugh, were blind, deaf and mute... The family of Mr. Ngo Xuan Thung (Hamlet 4, Hung Xa) has two children who are victims of Agent Orange/dioxin. The couple had to lock their children at home, use iron chains to hold them and care for them, bathe them like newborn babies...

Hung Nguyen currently has more than 1,026 victims of Agent Orange. In the first six months of 2012, 8 victims passed away.Talking to us, Mr. Pham Xuan Sam - Chairman of the Association of Agent Orange Victims in Hung Nguyen District, said: Currently, there are still many families of victims in very difficult circumstances, with no source of income, their children have been sick for decades, so they are very miserable and have to work hard. The work of caring for and helping these families still faces many difficulties in terms of funding as well as the capacity of grassroots association officials and presiding officials. However, there are still families who try to overcome their fate, such as the family of Mr. Pham Ba Canh (Hamlet 9, Hung Yen Bac Commune), all 3 father and children were infected with Agent Orange, they overcame difficulties to open a carpentry workshop to generate income for the family.

The brutal and fierce consequences of war still affect two, three or more generations. Many families lack smiles, grandparents are sad, parents are withered watching their children become deformed, blind because of poison, almost unable to integrate into the community.

Mr. Pham Xuan Sam added: Hung Nguyen district has 829 members with 89 branches of Agent Orange Victims Association. In the first 6 months of the year, it has supported housing for 04 families, supported 02 childcare allowances, awarded 07 scholarships to 07 children of victims, and given 63 gifts (total value of nearly 140 million VND) to help encourage and support the victims.

Saying goodbye to families in such situations, we cannot forget the deep sadness in the eyes of the wounded soldiers, the fathers and mothers whose children or themselves are affected by Agent Orange. The lingering pain is still there, and we need the community’s help. Please do not be indifferent to their pain.

Le Luong Nam