Images of Agent Orange/dioxin victims in Vietnam. (Photo: Anh Hien/VNA)
On the occasion of the Day for Vietnamese Agent Orange victims (August 10), Mr. de Grand Ry, former Honorary Consul of Vietnam in Belgium, expressed his deep sympathy for the losses and pain that Agent Orange/dioxin victims in Vietnam are suffering.
Mr. de Grand Ry also affirmed the strong support from the Belgian people and politicians for international cooperation efforts to overcome the consequences of war in Vietnam.
Mr. de Grand Ry said that the official visit of Belgian King Philippe to Vietnam last April was of special significance. During the visit, the King visited the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City and spent a lot of time visiting the exhibition area on Agent Orange victims.
Mr. de Grand Ry emphasized: “The King is very concerned about the serious consequences that this chemical has caused to the Vietnamese people. When he witnessed the situation of the victims, who have serious difficulties in movement and intelligence, King Philippe was very moved. Those images are the clearest evidence of a humanitarian disaster that continues, even though the war has ended half a century ago.”
According to Mr. de Grand Ry, Agent Orange is one of the most serious and long-lasting consequences of the Vietnam War. Although more than 50 years have passed, the consequences of this toxic chemical are still present in the lives of millions of Vietnamese families, even affecting the next generations. He shares his concern that the consequences will last for another two to three decades.
Conveying sympathy from the Belgian people, Mr. de Grand Ry said that the people of this country always admire the extraordinary will to live of the Agent Orange victims in Vietnam. Although they do not have a normal life like everyone else, they still persevere to rise up. That has evoked strong sympathy and urged the Belgian community to take action.
Currently, in Belgium there are many humanitarian initiatives to support Agent Orange victims in Vietnam.
A typical example is the annual fundraising activity initiated by Ms. Chris Geyskens, President of the Belgian branch of the Hoi An Association for Victims of Agent Orange, through charity golf tournaments. All the money raised is transferred to Vietnam to support the victims.
In addition, another organization is also actively implementing long-term support programs, while mobilizing resources from individuals and charitable organizations at home and abroad.
From the perspective of public diplomacy , Mr. de Grand Ry said that television reports on Agent Orange victims have created a strong ripple effect in Belgian public opinion.
Many people have proactively contacted him to express their indignation at the consequences of chemical warfare, and at the same time proposed specific actions to promote international responsibility, especially from the Belgian Government and related countries, including the United States.
“It is not just a personal feeling,” he stressed. “I believe that this is also the common view of the majority of Belgians: We must stop all use of toxic chemicals in conflicts. Peace, nothing else, is the only right choice.”
The former Honorary Consul also said that high-level discussions are currently underway at the Belgian and French Houses of Parliament, with the aim of passing a resolution condemning the use of toxic chemicals in war, while calling on the international community to increase support for Vietnam in overcoming the consequences of Agent Orange/dioxin.
He expressed confidence that the Belgian House of Representatives would officially pass this resolution within the next two to three months because, as he emphasized: “Politicians, after witnessing the haunting images with their own eyes, all agree that urgent action is needed.”
If passed, this will be the second resolution of the Belgian Parliament related to the Agent Orange issue in Vietnam.
At the end of the conversation, Mr. de Grand Ry once again affirmed his personal and collective commitment, as well as that of many organizations and individuals in Belgium, to accompany Vietnam in overcoming the heavy consequences left by war.
He emphasized that Belgium wishes to stand side by side with Vietnam so that no nation in the world will have to suffer from toxic chemicals.
Mr. de Grand Ry stated: "It is not only empathy, but also our responsibility, as people who love peace and justice"./.
Source: https://baolangson.vn/bi-cam-ket-dong-hanh-cung-viet-nam-khac-phuc-hau-qua-chat-doc-da-cam-5055485.html
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