Summary of the program: “REVIVAL FROM THE RAINBOW FRAGMENT”

The program saw the attendance of Senior Lieutenant General Do Can, Vice Chairman of the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People's Army; Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Rinh, Former Member of the Party Central Committee, Former Deputy Minister of National Defense, President of the Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxins; Mr. Nguyen Van Khanh, Vice Chairman - Director of the Fund; representatives of the Office of the Government, ministries, central agencies, branches, military units, representatives of embassies to Vietnam in Hanoi, and AO victims.

Sr. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Van Rinh opened the Program

Speaking at the program, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Rinh stated: The war has gone by nearly 50 years, but the consequences of toxic chemicals are still long-lasting. Being well aware of the heavy consequences of toxic chemicals on the environment and human health, the Communist Party and State of Vietnam have paid much attention and promulgated many guidelines and policies for the victims of Agent Orange. Every year, the State spends tens of thousands of billion VND to support and implement policies for people with meritorious services, resistance activists infected with toxic chemicals and their children and grandchildren suffering from Agent Orange sequelae. However, the lives of the victims and their families are still difficult, and need the support of the whole society. In the first eight months of 2022, associations at all levels have mobilized more than VND 200 billion to support victims in building and repairing houses, supporting livelihoods, caring for and helping the victims...

President Nguyen Van Rinh launched the Charity Messaging Program "Together we alleviate the pain of Agent Orange - in 2022", with the syntax: DA CAM to 1409; each message is worth 20,000 VND; or people can support the victims via App VAVA PLUS, Account Number: 685,1111.8779,230.

Summary of the program: “REVIVAL FROM THE RAINBOW FRAGMENT”

President Nguyen Van Rinh, on behalf of the association and the victims of Agent Orange, thanked the organizations, businesses, compatriots nationwide, overseas Vietnamese and international friends, for accompanying the Association in the charitable journey for the victims . At the same time, he called on the Party committees, authorities, Vietnam Fatherland Front at all levels, socio-political organizations, businesses and the whole people to continue promoting the movement of "Acting for the victims of Agent Orange", practically helping the victims both physically and mentally so that they can relieve their pain, gradually stabilize their lives, and integrate into the community. The President also called on the Government, people of the United States and international organizations to continue to support and help Vietnam overcome the consequences of toxic chemicals, and join hands to alleviate the pain of Agent Orange.

Next, the delegates and TV audience watched some reports on the detoxification process and the revival in the heavily polluted areas, such as Da Nang, Bien Hoa, and Aso airports.

In the guest exchange, Senior Colonel, Dr. Pham Xuan Hung, Deputy Commander of the Chemical Corps spoke more clearly about the projects and tasks to overcome the consequences of toxic chemical residues in Vietnam that remained after the war that the Chemical Corps and the Army in general have been implementing. In the coming time, the Chemical Corps will promote research on methods of detoxification and coordinate with other forces to accelerate the process of overcoming the consequences of toxic chemicals in Vietnam.

Sr. Col. Pham Xuan Hung and Sr. Col. Le Dinh Vu spoke at the program

Senior Colonel Le Dinh Vu, Chief of Office 701 spoke more about the implementation of the National action plan to overcome the consequences of toxic chemicals in the war in Vietnam in the 2021-2030 period of the Ministry of Defense. The goal is to complete the decontamination in A So by 2023, in Phu Cat by 2025 and in Bien Hoa by 2030. At the same time, it will promote international cooperation to overcome the consequences of dioxin in the coming time; in which emphasis is placed on supporting the victims in 8 heavily sprayed provinces and then expanding the support throughout the country.

Mr. Nguyen Hong Phong, Vice Chairman of Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association, shared the concerns and deep sympathy of young businesses with the pain of Agent Orange. He spoke about some deeds that the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association has done to accompany and support the victims in recent years. He also affirmed that in the coming time, the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association will continue to promote activities for the sake of the vcitms and pay more attention to helping the victims.

Mr. Nguyen Minh An, President of Quang Ninh Provincial Association for Victims of Agent Orange spoke at the program

Mr. Nguyen Minh An, President of Quang Ninh Provincial Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin shared the experience in the organization and operation of the cooperation model between 3 units: Quang Ninh Coal Company’s Party Committee, Department of Labor – War Invalids and Social Affairs, and the Provincial Association for Victims of Agent Orange. Accordingly, the three agencies signed a joint resolution. The Standing Committee of Quang Ninh Coal Company’s Party Committee has issued a decision, requiring its 47 subordinates to directly help the families of AO victims. Since 2008 to date, the coal industry has provided regular subsidies to 60 families (128 victims) with allowances from 500,000 VND/person/month or above (no limit on the number of victims in a family). The total amount of support so far has reached tens of billions of VND. Currently, the Provincial Association continues to coordinate with the Provincial Young Entrepreneurs Association. These are innovative, highly effective models that are suitable for the characteristics of each unit and the circumstances of the victims.

Mr. Nguyen Van Xoay, one of the AO families in Quang Ninh province who have benefited from the above cooperation model, expressed his gratitude to the Party, Government and Party Committee of Quang Ninh Coal Company. He said that his family has 2 victims, his wife has a cancer, so his family faces many difficulties. Currently, his family receives 3 million VND per month from the Vietnam Coal and Mineral Group.

The Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam said: Japan had to suffer the pains and losses from the war. Empathizing with those sufferings, over the years, the Japanese Government has carried out many activities to support the Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange. Many Japanese organizations have cooperated very effectively with VAVA and have provided effective aids. Japanese people and Japanese politicans are very interested in supporting and cooperating with Vietnam in overcoming the consequences of Agent Orange/dioxin. Promoting the results achieved, in the coming time, the Government and organizations in Japan will continue to carry out many activities to assist Vietnam in overcoming the consequences of war.

On behalf of VAVA, Mr. Nguyen Van Khanh reveived the donations from organizations and individuals

Mr. Nguyen Van Khanh, Vice President - Director of the Vietnam Agent Orange Victims’s Fund, on behalf of the Central Committee of VAVA, received the support of organizations and individuals, namely: Charity Club the Joint Saigon Construction Joint Stock Company (1 billion dong); the RevivAll Volunteer group, the United Nations International School (UNIS) in Hanoi (520 million VND); Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group's Veterans Association (VND 100 million); Mr. Pham Hoang Minh (50 million VND).

At the Program, Senior Lieutenant General Do Can and Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Rinh awarded Certificates of Merit and Gratitude Certificates of Golden Heart for positive contributions in the activity "Joining hands to alleviate the pain of Agent Orange - 2022" to organizations and individuals: Charity Club of the Saigon Construction Joint Stock Company (SCC); Synot Asean Joint Stock Company; Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group’s Veterans Association; Representative of the Embassy of Japan; Peace Flower Fund; Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association; RevivAll Volunteer group, United Nations International School (UNIS) Hanoi; Mr. Pham Hoang Minh.

Sr. Lt. Gen Do Can and Sr. Lt. Gen Nguyen Van Rinh award Certificates of Merit for organizations and individuals

Ms. Do Thi Hong Ha, Deputy Director of the Department of People with meritorious services, the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs and Mr. Nguyen Van Khanh presented 10 bicycles and 10 gifts to the children of AO victims. These are gifts from the golden hearts sent to them through the Central Committee of VAVA to help them with their schooling.

Mr. Nguyen Cuu Duc and Mr. Tran Dinh Dich presented “Certificates of Recognition” for collectives and individuals

Mr. Nguyen Cuu Duc, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture and Social Affairs, Government Office and Mr. Tran Dinh Dich, Editor-in-Chief of Vietnam Agent Orange Magazine awarded the "Certificate of Recognition” to 10 collectives and 3 individuals who have made outstanding achievements and contributions to the Programs: "Joining hands to alleviate the pain of Agent Orange" and "Supporting livelihoods for victims of Agent Orange" in 2022, including: Mik Group Joint Stock Company, Vietnam; Construction Development Investment Corporation (DIC); Hoa Binh Construction Group Joint Stock Company; Do Thanh Real Estate Development Investment Joint Stock Company; Military Commercial Joint Stock Bank; Saigon Thuong Tin Commercial Joint Stock Bank; Vietnam National Petroleum Group; Vietnam Airport Corporation; Nicotex Joint Stock Company; The Vietnamese Home- Buddhist Association in Ha Dong district, Hanoi. Individuals include: Mr. Truong Khac Chau - Chairman of the Board of Directors of Truong Hoang Chau Joint Stock Company; Mr. Tran Van Phan, Quang Thanh Commune, Thuy Nguyen District, Hai Phong City; Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Loan, Dong Hoa Hiep Commune, Cai Be District, Tien Giang Province.

Delegates at the program

Sister Dao Hoang Yen, Head of Revivall Charity Group, UNIS International School, shared: as young generation that did not directly live in the war, but through family, veterans and visits to the AO victims, they have learnt and seen the suffering, illness, and hardship of the victims and realized that joining hands to help the victims is not just the private task of anyone but the whole community's, including the young generation. Therefore, they chose the AO victims to help and share. Although they still have to go to school, they will develop a reasonable plan to both accomplish their schooling and participate in charity work, including helping the AO victims.

The program is interspersed with special art performances, expressing the pain of Agent Orange and the strong revival of the victims, of the bare forests and the community's sharing for a brighter future.