Notable results in the people’s diplomacy of VAVA in 2022

1. At the opening ceremony of the Hanoi Peace Conference, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Rinh delivered an important speech with a message calling for a world of peace, unity, and no war. At the World Peace Council Congress held in Hanoi, AO victim issues were prioritized and mentioned in speeches, especially in the speech of Ms. Athanasios Pafilis, Secretary General of the World Peace Council. Activities on the sidelines of the Congress such as exhibition of paintings, book display, and introduction of products of AO victims were highly appreciated by international friends.

2. VAVA’s Central Committee welcomed and worked with Mr. Tim Reiser, senior foreign policy adviser to Senator Patrick Leahy from the US Agency for International Development (USAID). Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Rinh, President of VAVA, affirmed that Vietnam always attaches great importance to the cooperation relationship with the US, and appreciates the role and contributions of Mr. Tim in creating the foundation for the US government to support the long-term cooperation with Vietnam, as well as in promoting cooperation programs to overcome the consequences of war between the two countries. Tim affirmed that he would continue to lobby and push the US Government and Congress to pay attention and spare resources and budget for cooperation programs to overcome war consequences in Vietnam.

3. MoU Signing Ceremony with Medipeace/Korea as a new partner and new friend of VAVA on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Korea, in order to strengthen the support system for sustainable community-based rehabilitation for Vietnamese children who are disable AO victims with a 4-year time span from 2023 to 2027. It is expected that in June 2023 the two sides will jointly organize a workshop on the implementation of the Guidelines for supporting rehabilitation rooms for children with disabilities in Quang Tri and pilot in Quang Tri Center. Then, this model will be replicated across the country.

4. Workshop on "Vietnam War Reconciliation and Remedy Initiative: Dialogue on War Consequences and Peace" on October 11-12, 2022 organized by the US Institute of Peace (USIP) at the USIP Headquarters in Washington D.C. VAVA’s Central Committee sent Ms. Do Mai Khanh, Head of its Foreign Affairs Department to the United States to attend the workshop. At the Workshop, Khanh presented a discussion on dealing with the consequences of Agent Orange/dioxin on humans and the people of Vietnam.

5. VAVA’s Central Committee and scientists from Tohoku Fukushi University, Japan continue to cooperate in research on Vietnamese AO victims. From September 4-11, 2022, the delegation worked in Tay Ninh province to collect comparative data about the rate of disability, disease and psychology of the victims between the sprayed areas and non-spray areas in the North like Nam Dinh and Thanh Hoa.

6. Seminar on the Publication of the Vietnam National Report on overcoming the consequences of war co-organized by Hanoi National University and Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany and the Hanns Seidel Foundation. At the seminar, many discussions were raised concerning the issue of dealing with the consequences of toxic chemicals used in the war in Vietnam. VAVA’s Central Committee had a speech on the consequences and sequelae of toxic chemicals to the lives of Vietnamese AO victims, hoping that the reports at the seminar will be realized into policies for the Vietnamese AO victims.

7. The delegation of professors and students from the University of Utah/USA visited the Center for Social Protection, the Center for Care, Nurturing and Rehabilitation for AO victims. The RevivAl Volunteer, the United Nations International School in Hanoi, in conjunction with VAVA’s Central Committee, conducted many activities at the Centers for Social Protection for AO victims.

8. Medical and Scientific Aid to Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia (MASVLC) of the UK granted 545 wheelchairs to disabled AO victims in 37 provinces and 2 centers in August and September 2022. This is a practical and meaningful gift, helping the victims to alleviate difficulties in life.

9. The "A Better Life and Education" organization (ABLE) visited and worked at 3 Centers in Hanoi, Thai Binh and Da Nang to re-evaluate the results of the sauna process for detoxification, a model of care and nursing for victims with the aim of helping and alleviating the pain of Vietnamese AO victims.

10. Amazon Group Delegation consisting of 46 members, including General Manager of Amazon Asia Pacific, General Manager of Amazon Southeast Asia, Director of Amazon in Vietnam, Director of financial services and other heads of Amazon Web Services (AWS) branches in ASEAN and Vietnam visited, worked and presented gifts to the Vietnam Center for AO victims Social Protection and the Hanoi Center for AO victims Care, Nurturing and Treatment.

11. Mr. and Mrs. Richmond Mayo-Smith, American overseas Vietnamese (connected by VAVA’s Department of Foreign Affairs) donated to build a 70m2 house for Ms. H'Long Sruk family who is a M'Nong, blinded AO victims living in Lieng Keh village, Dak Phoi commune, Lak district, Dak Lak province.

12. The Charity Fun Run organized by the Thai Embassy attracted more than 100 runners. 40 million VND was raised from the race and this amount will be used to give Tet gifts to the Vietnam Center for AO victims Social Protection and the Hanoi Center for the care, nurturing and treatment for AO victims.

VAVA’s Department of Foreign Affairs