Supporting victims of Agent Orange

The pain of Agent Orange

This year, all around 50 years old, but due to the lingering effects of Agent Orange from their father, Mr. Le Thuong (who passed away in 2022), who fought in the Binh-Tri-Thien and Southern Laos battlefields, Ms. Le Thi Hien (born in 1973), Ms. Le Thi Lanh (born in 1975), and Ms. Le Thi Quy (born in 1977) in Hamlet 5, Dien Hai Commune, all face difficulties in mobility and cognition, blindness, frequent epilepsy, destructive behavior, and wander aimlessly throughout the hamlet.

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My wife and I have seven children, three of whom are daughters affected by Agent Orange. For over 40 years, I've been the sole breadwinner for the whole family. Life is difficult and arduous, but I don't find it unbearable because I'm used to it. However, seeing my three daughters unable to take care of themselves breaks my heart. But for the past ten years or so, thanks to the Agent Orange/Dioxin Victims Association at the district and commune levels, who have repeatedly helped and supported us in repairing our house, and brought in benefactors to help, as well as the support of our neighbors, I don't know how my children and I would have survived otherwise.”

Mrs. Bui Thi Lieu - mother of three children affected by Agent Orange.

Another heartbreaking situation is that of Mr. Nguyen Duc Tuan's family (born in 1944), residing in Hamlet 3, Dien My Commune. Having fought in the Quang Nam battlefield, Mr. Tuan was discharged from the army and returned to his hometown with a 4/4 war invalid certificate and was exposed to Agent Orange.

This toxic substance not only severely affected his health but also left his only son with serious aftereffects: he suffers from mobility impairment and intellectual disability. He married and had two children, both of whom have neurological disorders and have been unable to care for themselves for many years. A few years ago, Mr. Tuan's wife also suffered a stroke and is bedridden. Despite his advanced age, he still has to work to support his family of four, all of whom are disabled and frail.

UMBRELLA

"Without the livelihood support and constant encouragement from the Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin at the district and commune levels, I certainly wouldn't have been able to persevere until today."

Mr. Nguyen Duc Tuan (born in 1944), residing in Hamlet 3, Dien My Commune, Dien Chau District.

Empowering others to overcome pain

According to statistics, Dien Chau district is one of the localities with the largest number of Agent Orange victims in the province, with 1,326 people, concentrated mainly in Dien My commune (86 people), Dien Thanh commune (72 people), Dien Hai commune (60 people), etc. Of these, 656 people were directly affected due to their participation in the resistance war, while the rest are children and grandchildren of those affected. Nearly 200 victims suffer from serious cancers, and 150 of their children and grandchildren have deformities and disabilities, making them unable to work or care for themselves. The living standards of Agent Orange victims' families remain significantly lower than the average living standard of the entire district.

Given this situation, the Dien Chau District Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin has identified caring for the lives of victims as a top priority, with the motto: "Self-mobilization and on-site relief efforts are the main focus."

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To date, the district has established 37/37 Associations of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin in communes and towns with 1,395 members. The associations at all levels have proactively advised local Party committees and authorities to strengthen propaganda, mobilization, and organize many practical activities to help victims in difficult circumstances.

Mr. Cao Dang Nien - Chairman of the Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin in Dien Chau District

Thanks to the active participation of agencies, units, and businesses in the district, as well as successful people from the district working away from home, Dien Chau district is one of the few districts, cities, and towns with a relatively stable source of donations to the Agent Orange/Dioxin Victims Fund, ranging from 500 to 700 million VND per year, mainly focused on supporting housing construction, providing livelihood capital, and assisting victims with sudden difficulties due to serious cancer...

Thanks to the support of various organizations, many victims of Agent Orange have overcome difficulties and risen in life, a prime example being Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tung (born in 1954), residing in Hamlet 11, Dien Thanh Commune. Having fought on the Binh-Tri-Thien battlefield since 1972 and been discharged in 1986, Mr. Tung was exposed to Agent Orange, leaving lasting effects on three of his children, including a daughter with deformities and intellectual disabilities. With an initial support of nearly 50 million VND from the District Association of Agent Orange/Dioxin Victims, he opened a small workshop specializing in sewing doormats. After nearly 10 years of operation, the workshop provides employment for 30 workers, and Mr. Tung's income is stable at over 150 million VND per year.

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The encouragement and support from the Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin at the district and commune levels have given me more motivation to overcome difficulties. In the future, I will strive to maintain and develop production, thereby employing more workers who are children of Agent Orange victims.”

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tung (Dien Thanh commune, Dien Chau district)

In addition, there is the case of Mr. Vo Duc Tien (born in 1951), residing in Hamlet 3, Dien My Commune, who fought in the Binh-Tri-Thien battlefield. After being discharged from the army, he returned home with a certificate of war invalid status (category 1/4) and was exposed to Agent Orange. His only son, Mr. Vo Duc Thanh (born in 1982), was also exposed to Agent Orange from his father. After starting his own family, Mr. Thanh had four children, three of whom were exposed to Agent Orange, resulting in intellectual disability. Refusing to surrender to fate, in addition to actively engaging in agricultural production, Mr. Tien also participates in local social activities. Currently, he is the Vice Chairman of the Association of Agent Orange/Dioxin Victims in Dien My Commune, regularly participating in fundraising activities to support Agent Orange victims in the area.

Minh Quan