More effort and resources needed to better the care for victims of Agent Orange

On the occasion of 58^th anniversary of Agent Orange Disaster in Vietnam (10/8/1961 – 10/8/2019) and the Day for Agent Orange in Vietnam, VAVA held a special Artistic Performance entitled “Joining hand to alleviate the Agent Orange pain” on August 10. Member of the Politburo, Standing Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh attended the event and delivered an important speech. The Agent Orange Magazine would like to introduce his speech.

The program \"Joining hands to alleviate Agent Orange pain\" commemorating 58 years of Agent Orange Disaster Day in Vietnam), responding the “Day for victims of Agent Orange” and “International Day of Solidarity with Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange” is an activity of profound human significance to make people and international friends understand more about our Party\'s and State\'s efforts in overcoming the aftermath of toxic chemicals after the war; at the same time, this event helps calling for the support of domestic and foreign organizations and individuals for the victims so that they can receive more material and spiritual encouragement in life.

On behalf of the Party and State leaders, I highly appreciate the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin for holding this program. I hereby would like to extend to the victims and their families my sincere care and wishes for good health and happiness.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The war has receded for 44 years, but millions of Vietnamese people and the third and fourth generations of the war who were born in peace still suffer the aftermath of that war everyday as exposing to the Agent Orange sprayed by the US in the Southern battlefield during 10 year span, starting on August 10, 1961. With more than 80 million litres of toxic chemicals, 61% of which are Agent Orange containing dioxin being sprayed by the US on an area of ​​3.06 million hectares, equal to nearly a quarter of the total area of ​​South Vietnam, 4.8 million people have exposed and more than 3 million have become victims of Agent Orange.

The Agent Orange disaster has left millions of children with birth defects and deformities, vegetative state, and deprived many women from being neither a wife nor a mother; many victims are dying day by day, and struggling for life because of the deadly diseases related to Agent Orange/Dioxin. In particular, hundreds of thousands of victims still live in poverty. Each family has a different situation, but all are miserable and painful. Many families even have seven or eight victims. Some families have all members suffered from the toxic chemical. In some families, the husband dies, leaving the wife with handicapped children, lying in one place, etc. But with their strong determination, they all strive to overcome their circumstances.

In many parts of our country, chemical toxins from the war still remain deep in the ground and water sources, destroying the environment, seriously threatening the safety of people. The Agent Orange catastrophe affected not only Vietnamese people but also veterans of the US, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand, forcing those governments to deal with the consequences, compensate for them and their descendants.

There is no such pain like “orange pain”. In fact, it is a disaster and a pain not only of the Vietnamese people but also the common pain of the world community.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Since 2004, August 10 every year has been chosen as the “Day for Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange”. The Party and State have issued many guidelines and policies to mobilise the participation of the Party committees, authorities, socio-political organisations and the entire people to deal with toxic chemical consequences caused by the US in Vietnam. Step by step, we have reduce difficulties and provided better care for the victims.

Over the past time, this work has initially achieved remarkable results. We have safely treated 160,000 m3 of dioxin-contaminated soil in Da Nang Airport and are continuing to treat dioxin-contaminated soil in Bien Hoa and Phu Cat Airports; effectively implemented the preferential subsidy policies for war participants infected with toxic chemicals; provided medical support and livelihood support for the victims. The mobilisation of social resources has been paid attention, actively deployed and achieved many results. The struggle for justice has attracted the attention of both domestic and international public opinion, contributing to awakening human conscience, etc.,

On this occasion, I would like to extend my commendation to the Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin at all levels for actively and enthusiastically participating in the association\'s work with a spirit of responsibility and comradeship; my praise to the victims who have overcome their illnesses, rose to master their own lives, and integrate into the community; my sincere thanks to domestic and foreign organisations and individuals for actively assisting the victims both materially and spiritually, and supporting the struggle for justice of Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange.

Ladies and gentlemen,

On this occasion, I call on all domestic and international organisations and individuals to join hands, work together, and share more resources on the work of overcoming the consequences of toxic chemicals after the war in Vietnam; helping Agent Orange victims to overcome difficulties both physically and mentally. Please raise your voice of conscience and responsibility for the justice for Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange.

I suggest that relevant levels and branches continue researching, reviewing records, and identify Agent Orange-related diseases so that the victims can soon enjoy the State’s preferential policies.

I suggest that the Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin promote the achieved results, continue to implement solutions to mobilise more resources from organisations, businesses and philanthropists to assist the victim.

Finally, I wish the program a great success, practically motivating and supporting the victims, “not leaving anyone behind”.

I wish all of you good health and success!

Truong Hoa Binh

Member of the Politburo,

Standing Deputy Prime Minister of the Government