Bridges of compassion crossing the pain of Agent Orange victims.

Sixty-five years have passed since the Agent Orange disaster in Vietnam, and twenty years since the establishment of the Thanh Hoa Province Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin. Yet, the wounds of war still ache. But amidst the suffering that has lasted for generations, humanity, responsibility, and compassion quietly continue to light the flame of hope for thousands of unfortunate lives.

Bridges of compassion crossing the pain of Agent Orange victims.

The Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin donated 100 million VND to the Thanh Hoa Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin to support families of victims affected by natural disasters.

The pain is not yet over.

August 10, 1961, became a tragic milestone in the nation's history when the US military began the largest-scale chemical warfare in human history in Vietnam. Over a decade – from 1961 to 1971 – the US military conducted 19,905 sorties, spraying over 80 million liters of chemical toxins over nearly a quarter of South Vietnam; of which up to 61% was Agent Orange containing the highly toxic dioxin. Approximately 3.06 million hectares of land, forests, and farmlands were destroyed; thousands of villages were severely contaminated.

It was not only a war that destroyed the environment, but also a war that left lasting consequences for humanity. According to statistics, over 4.8 million Vietnamese people were exposed to chemical warfare agents, and over 3 million became victims of Agent Orange. Even more heartbreaking, these consequences did not stop with the immediate generation but continued to be passed down to the second, third, and even fourth generations.

The war is long over, but the pain of Agent Orange remains present in life today. In Thanh Hoa province, 22,855 people who participated in the resistance war and their children were affected by Agent Orange; from 2000 to 2025, 18,933 people were recognized as Agent Orange victims and recognized as having contributed to the revolution. Currently, the province still has 11,518 victims; including 7,599 direct victims and 3,919 indirect victims. In addition, there are 1,285 children of the third generation affected by the sequelae of Agent Orange but who have not yet been recognized as Agent Orange victims.

Behind those numbers lie thousands of haunting stories. There are 9,199 households with Agent Orange victims; of which nearly 2,000 households have two or more victims, and 182 households have three or more victims. There are mothers who haven't had a single night of restful sleep for decades because of caring for their disabled children. There are impoverished families exhausted by the long-term cost of medication. There are children born who have never known a normal childhood.

The suffering caused by Agent Orange is not just about physical ailments, but also about the prolonged emotional turmoil that spans generations. Many victims have completely lost their ability to work; many women are unable to fulfill their role as mothers; and many families live with feelings of shame, inferiority, and despair. Therefore, Agent Orange victims are often referred to as "the most suffering of the suffering."

For the past 65 years, the Party, the State, and the entire society have continuously strived to overcome the consequences of war and care for and support victims of Agent Orange through many practical policies. However, that journey is still very long, because the aftereffects of chemical warfare cannot be closed overnight. Remembering the Agent Orange disaster today is to remind us of the value of peace and our humanitarian responsibility towards those who have had to bear the consequences of war for their entire lives.

Twenty years of building a loving home.

On June 1, 2006, the Thanh Hoa Provincial Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin was established by Decision No. 1531/QD-UBND of the Chairman of the Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee. Over the past 20 years, the association has truly become a common home for thousands of Agent Orange victims in the province, a bridge connecting the community with those unfortunate lives through love and compassion.

From its early days, the association clearly defined its operational principle as focusing on the grassroots, focusing on victims, and basing its operations on compassion and responsibility. From coastal areas and plains to remote regions, association officials quietly visited each family to understand their circumstances, mobilize resources, and share with the victims. Many association officials are veterans who experienced war, thus deeply understanding the pain that their comrades and their families are enduring.

After 20 years of operation, the provincial-level associations have mobilized over 103.6 billion VND to care for and assist Agent Orange victims. From these resources, 730 houses have been newly built or renovated for victim families, with a total cost of over 13.8 billion VND. Hundreds of families who previously lived in dilapidated thatched houses now have more stable and safer housing. In addition to housing support, the associations have also coordinated many activities to provide healthcare and livelihood support for victims. 154,135 victims have received gifts during holidays and festivals with a total value of nearly 85 billion VND; 11,029 victims have received free medical examinations and medication; and 1,729 victims have been donated wheelchairs and mobility aids.

These figures are not simply the result of social welfare activities, but also a testament to the spread of compassion within the community. From businesses, religious organizations, and banks to ordinary citizens, everyone has joined hands to "alleviate the suffering of Agent Orange victims." Many philanthropists have partnered with the association for decades, considering caring for Agent Orange victims as a responsibility to their homeland and country.

Twenty years may not be a long time, but it's enough to affirm the profound humanistic value of a journey full of compassion and solidarity. It's a journey of sharing, community responsibility, and the principle of "drinking water and remembering the source," preserved and nurtured through generations.

Ignite hope through perseverance and compassion.

What moves many people during their journey alongside Agent Orange victims is not only their losses but also their extraordinary resilience. Amidst illness, poverty, and prolonged hardship, many victims remain strong and refuse to surrender to fate.

In many rural areas of the province, there are victims who, despite their disabilities, strive to work to support themselves and their families. There are mothers who have silently cared for their sick children for decades, yet have never lost faith in life. There are children born with disabilities who still strive to study, overcoming adversity to become the pride of their families... These people have quietly spread a message of willpower and aspiration. They make the community understand that behind the pain of Agent Orange, there is always the light of faith and love.

Mr. Duong Van Hue, Chairman of the Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin in Thanh Hoa province, presents scholarships to children who are victims of Agent Orange in Nga Son commune.

Beyond caring for victims, the Thanh Hoa Provincial Association of Agent Orange/Dioxin Victims has persistently pursued the task of fighting for justice for Agent Orange victims. Over the years, the association has coordinated investigations and compiled dossiers for 1,800 third-generation victims; printed and distributed 30 sets of photo books about families with two or more Agent Orange victims to serve as a basis for the fight for justice. The association has also mobilized 65,000 signatures in support of Ms. Tran To Nga in her lawsuit against American chemical companies and nearly 47,000 signatures in support of the "Abolish Nuclear Weapons" movement.

Alongside this, numerous people-to-people diplomatic activities have been undertaken, mobilizing international organizations to support Agent Orange victims in Thanh Hoa. Many organizations from France, Japan, South Korea, and Ireland have provided medical care, gifts, and livelihood assistance to the victim families. These acts of kindness not only have material value but also demonstrate the empathy of international friends for the suffering of the Vietnamese people due to the war.

What is most valuable is that this journey has fostered a stronger spirit of compassion within the community. Many organizations, businesses, and individuals have come to view caring for Agent Orange victims not only as a charitable activity but also as a social responsibility and moral obligation.

The bridges of love are still being built so that no Agent Orange victim is left behind. Because more than anyone else, they need to live in an environment of sharing, love, and respect, just as those who have carried the consequences of war throughout their lives.

Mr. Duong Van Hue, Chairman of the Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin in Thanh Hoa province, stated that 65 years after the Agent Orange disaster, the pain of war has yet to end, with many families still suffering from its effects across generations. However, thanks to the care of the Party, the State, and the compassion of the community, thousands of victims in the province have received care and support, giving them renewed strength to overcome challenges in life. In the future, the association will continue to innovate its methods of operation, promote the socialization of victim care, and mobilize more resources from organizations, businesses, and philanthropists to help those in particularly difficult circumstances. "Leaving no one behind" is not only a goal but also a responsibility and a moral obligation towards those who have had to bear the consequences of war throughout their lives.

Text and photos: Tran Hang

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/nhung-nhip-cau-nhan-ai-di-qua-noi-dau-da-cam-289103.htm