Strengthening support for Agent Orange victims in the new context.

On the eve of the 5th National Congress of the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin (VAVA) held on December 29th in Hanoi and in anticipation of the 20th anniversary of VAVA's founding (January 10, 2004 - January 10, 2024), Bas TG&VN had an interview with Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Rinh, Chairman of VAVA.

General, could you please tell us about the outstanding achievements of VAVA in implementing the Resolution of the 4th Congress, term 2018-2023?

During the 2018-2023 term, all levels of the association made efforts, overcoming many difficulties, and comprehensively fulfilled the goals and tasks set forth by the 4th Congress.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha and Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Rinh, Chairman of VAVA, presented Certificates of Appreciation to collectives and individuals who have made significant contributions and provided support to victims of Agent Orange. (Photo: Provided by VAVA)

The Central Association and provincial and city associations have done a good job of advising and proposing to the Party, the State, and Party committees and governments at all levels on continuing to implement Directive No. 43-CT/TW of the Party Central Committee; implementing the Party and State's guidelines and policies on addressing the consequences of chemical toxins and providing basic and sustainable care and assistance to victims.

Propaganda work has been intensified with many appropriate and effective forms. The emulation movement "For Vietnamese Agent Orange Victims," ​​linked with the "Action for Agent Orange Victims" movement launched by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, has been implemented extensively and effectively.

The entire Party, the entire people, and the entire political system have carried out many effective and high-quality activities to care for and assist victims of chemical warfare agents. The results of resource mobilization are higher than in the previous term.

From the central to the grassroots level, associations at all levels have made efforts to promote and mobilize resources, linking the "For Victims of Agent Orange" emulation movement with other movements and campaigns, on anniversaries, holidays, and festivals... to mobilize more resources to care for and assist victims.

From the beginning of the term until November 2023, associations at all levels nationwide have raised over 2.275 billion VND for the Fund (including money and in-kind donations).

The Agent Orange Victims Fund has been established at the central level and in 40 out of 63 provinces and cities; more than 610 districts and counties; and most communes and wards have established voluntary funds.

The Fund's operations, from the central to the local level, strictly adhere to its regulations and are conducted in a transparent, open, and efficient manner in terms of management and utilization.

During its fourth term, the entire association supported the construction of social welfare centers in provinces and cities with a budget of nearly 38 billion VND; of which, nearly 36 billion VND was used to upgrade VAVA's center and support the construction of boarding facilities in provinces and cities.

To date, the Association has 26 centers, operating under two models (17 centers managed by provincial and city associations, and 9 facilities for caring for victims within social welfare centers managed by the Departments of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs of provinces and cities), caring for nearly 1,900 children. These centers have become "homes" for victims and facilities for the health recovery of war veteran victims.

The struggle for justice for victims of the Chaast Ddoojc massacre has continued with new forms and methods, in line with the views, policies, and foreign guidelines of the Party and the State.

These results have significantly contributed to changing the perception and responsibility of the US Congress and Government in participating in the remediation of remaining dioxin contamination at Da Nang Airport and Bien Hoa Airport (Dong Nai province), as well as providing humanitarian assistance to people with disabilities, including victims of Agent Orange.

The activities of the associations at all levels have undergone innovation, fulfilling their roles and responsibilities, truly representing the legitimate rights and interests of victims, promptly responding to their aspirations, and affirming the association's role and position with the Party committees, government, and society.

To date, provincial-level associations continue to be maintained in all 63 provinces and cities (including 7 provinces that have merged with other mass organizations with similar tasks to the Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin). 613 out of 705 eligible districts and counties have established associations, reaching 86% (an increase of 12 district-level associations compared to the beginning of the term); 6,629 out of 10,599 eligible communes and wards have established associations, reaching 62% (an increase of 176 commune-level associations and the development of 653 branches); the total number of members currently is over 415,000 (over 7,500 new members were added during the term)...

During your term, have there been any new developments in the fight for justice for victims and in people-to-people diplomacy, sir?

VAVA has consistently focused on directing and effectively implementing activities to fight for justice for victims, in accordance with the foreign policy and guidelines of the Party and State; at the same time, it has closely coordinated with relevant agencies to both fight for justice and lobby USAID (USA) to have programs that pay more attention to and focus on victims of Agent Orange.

The association has actively worked with and contacted US officials, taking advantage of forums and international seminars to make demands and requests that the US government and chemical companies take responsibility for the victims of Agent Orange and consider Agent Orange a problem that the US government must address.

These activities have contributed to a shift in the attitude of US authorities towards Agent Orange victims, while also developing policies and implementing activities directly targeting Agent Orange victims and their families; expanding surveys of victims to seven provinces: Bac Lieu, Ca Mau, Phu Yen, Thanh Hoa, Quang Ngai, Binh Duong, and Can Tho; and agreeing to add three provinces (Bac Lieu, Ca Mau, and Quang Ngai) to the project supporting people with disabilities, including victims in heavily sprayed provinces.

Furthermore, throughout the duration of Ms. Tran To Nga's lawsuit in France, the Association closely coordinated with the French Law Office; actively campaigned in support of Ms. Tran To Nga suing the American chemical companies; promptly issued a Statement supporting the lawsuit and sent an Open Letter to domestic and international organizations and individuals protesting the court's ruling in the first-instance trial.

In the coming period, we will continue to support Ms. Tran To Nga in her lawsuit at the Court of Appeal of the City of Paris (France).

People-to-people diplomacy in the new situation has closely followed the tasks of the Association, promptly developing plans to implement Directive 12-CT/TW dated January 5, 2022, of the Party Central Committee on strengthening the Party's leadership and improving the effectiveness of people-to-people diplomacy in the new situation.

The association maintains relationships with traditional friends in the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, and other countries, while also expanding its relationships with government organizations in several countries such as Japan, Belgium, and other national organizations.

The association continues to participate in many external activities of the Council on Anti-A and H-bombs (Japan), the US Institute of Peace; and actively participates in conferences, seminars, forums, and discussions related to overcoming the consequences of war.

VAVA organized numerous delegations to countries such as the United States, Japan, and South Korea to campaign for assistance, support, and justice for the victims, attracting international attention; at the same time, it welcomed many foreign delegations, totaling over 1,000 people, to Vietnam to visit, work, and donate gifts to the victims.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has implemented projects to support people with disabilities, including victims of Agent Orange, in heavily sprayed provinces and is carrying out several other projects directly for Agent Orange victims.

The Association of Koreans Who Love Vietnam provides livelihood support to families of Agent Orange victims. (Photo: Provided by VAVA)

What are VAVA's key priorities for the coming period, General?

It can be affirmed that the attention of the Party, the State, Party committees, and governments at all levels is a prerequisite for the Association to successfully and excellently fulfill the tasks assigned by the Party and the State. The consensus, close coordination, compassion, and responsibility towards victims from agencies and units are crucial factors in carrying out the Association's central task of caring for and assisting victims and fighting for justice.

In the coming term, we will continue to thoroughly implement Directive 43-CT/TW of the Party Central Committee, promote the emulation movement "For victims of Agent Orange"; pay attention to caring for and helping victims overcome difficulties, integrate into the community, and have a life equal to the average living standard in the locality, ensuring that victim families do not fall back into poverty, and do not have victim families living in temporary or dilapidated houses.

VAVA will continue to innovate the content and methods of mobilizing resources domestically and internationally. It will effectively implement funded projects, ensuring compliance with the law, transparency, and openness; and proactively and actively engage in the struggle for justice for victims of Agent Orange, adapting to the new situation and conditions.

In particular, regarding the struggle for justice for victims, we will supplement and refine the Plan for defining objectives and roadmap for the struggle for justice for victims and people-to-people diplomacy in the new situation, and submit it to the competent authority for approval.

In addition, the Association continues to maintain traditional relationships with international organizations, foreign individuals, and Vietnamese people living abroad; striving to develop and expand its network to include 5-10 more international organizations that regularly care for, support, and assist victims in Vietnam during its term.

Thank you very much, General!

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/day-manh-ho-tro-nan-nhan-chat-doc-da-cam-trong-tinh-hinh-moi-255461.html