President Phuc: “U.S has made practical activities to help victims of Agent Orange and post war UXO in Vietnam”.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc thanked US friends for their practical activities to support and help victims of AO and post war unexploded ordnance (UXO). The President expressed that nearly 5 decades after the country’s reunification, Vietnamese people are still suffering heavy consequences of UXO and AO/dioxin. 4.8 million Vietnamese people have exposed to Agent Orange/dioxin, in which more than 3 million people have become victims, and hundreds of thousands of people are struggling with serious diseases. Especially, Agent Orange can be passed through many generations; In Vietnam, Agent Orange has been passed on to the 4^th generation, causing sequelae such as polio, blindness, dumbness, deafness, intellectual disability, mental illness, cancer, birth defects. The victims’ material and spiritual lives are still very difficult. In order to overcome the consequences of war and ease the pain of Agent Orange, the Party, State, National Assembly and Government of Vietnam have issued many guidelines, decisions, legal documents and many action programs and plans to direct the comprehensive and effective implementation of the remedial work of Agent Orange/dioxin. Vietnam has always determined that dealing with the consequences of Agent Orange/dioxin and caring for and helping Agent Orange victims are long-term, urgent and important issues today. After more than 25 years of normalization, the U.S - Vietnam relations have become more and more effective, sustainable and mutually beneficial, on the principle of respecting independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, each other\'s political regime. Vietnam appreciates the commitment and support of the United States in dealing with the consequences of war, as an active part of confident building with tireless efforts from both sides. The U.S government and Congress have initially made changes to the Agent Orange issue, in which, the US Congress has paid more attention to and allocated more budget for dealing with the consequences of dioxin in Vietnam; implemented the decontamination project at Da Nang airport. The two sides continue to carry out decontamination at Bien Hoa airport. USAID have spent 92.5 million USD to support people with disabilities in localities heavily sprayed with Agent Orange/dioxin. The President stressed that Vietnam always remembers and appreciates the support of international organizations, individuals and friends over the years, which have contributed to helping the world\'s people better understand the consequences of toxic chemicals left behind after Vietnam War, thereby sharing and actively helping Vietnamese people overcome the consequences caused by the war, contributing to motivating and encouraging the spirit, alleviating the pain of war victims. President Phuc hoped that US friends would continue to support the friendship and cooperation between the two countries, especially in dealing with the consequences of Agent Orange/dioxin. Ms. Merle Ratner thanked President Phuc for sharing his time with the Campaign and acknowledging the positive developments in Vietnam-US relations in the past 25 years. She affirmed that she has worked for many years for the U.S Government to fulfill its responsibility to Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange by supporting victims in all aspects, from health care, vocational training, to cleaning up Agent Orange remains in Vietnam. On behalf of Vietnam\'s American friends, Ms. Merle Ratner pledged to continue to do all she can to support Vietnamese victims of AO/dioxins./.