(BLC) - The war has ended, but the wounds and consequences left by the war still remain, namely the victims of toxic chemicals (AO). To ease the pain and share the disadvantages and losses of victims of AO, in recent years, Phong Tho district authorities have paid attention to and cared for their material and spiritual lives, helping them overcome difficulties and inferiority complexes, confidently rise up in life, and integrate into the community.
Currently, the whole district has 12 victims of Agent Orange. Of these, 2/12 are both war invalids and Agent Orange victims. The district always focuses on implementing the work of caring for the lives of Agent Orange victims. Every year, the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs of the district regularly informs and grasps the situation of the victims through the Chairman of the District Association of Agent Orange Victims to provide timely support and assistance and advise the District People's Committee to make a list of gifts from the central, provincial and district governments on holidays and Tet. Coordinate with the health sector, the Red Cross Society organizes medical examinations, health consultations, and provides free medicine for the victims...
In particular, the 62nd anniversary of the Vietnam Agent Orange Disaster (August 10, 1961 - August 10, 2023) is coming up, the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs advises the Standing Committee of the District People's Committee to support the organization of the celebration. This is an opportunity for victims of AO/HA in the area to recall the memories, the glorious battles of our ancestors and of the victims of AO/HA, who did not spare their lives to fight for the independence and freedom of the nation and then carry injuries. Combine with promoting propaganda work, raising awareness and responsibility of Party committees, authorities, organizations at all levels, and people in implementing the Party and State's policies and guidelines for victims of AO/HA and joining hands to overcome the consequences of war.
In early August, we went to Thong Nhat village, Phong Tho town to listen to Mr. Do Quoc Tru talk about the glorious war years, as well as his losses caused by the enemy. According to him, he was previously a soldier of the 316th Division and experienced many campaigns and battlefields such as: the Upper Laos battlefield, the Central Highlands campaign, Ho Chi Minh , fought in the opening battle of Buon Me Thuot and was unfortunately infected with Agent Orange. In 1977, he moved back to work as a worker at Phong Tho Farm.
Since then, Mr. Tru has been infected with dioxin with a 41% eye disability rate, his health has been severely affected. What is a hundred thousand times more painful is that his son unfortunately was infected with dioxin due to genetics from his father and has passed away forever, leaving in his heart an indelible wound.
Saying goodbye to Mr. Tru, we visited the family of Mr. Nguyen Thanh Long - Chairman of the District Association of Agent Orange Victims, currently living in Thong Nhat village, Phong Tho town. Mr. Long is also one of the wounded soldiers infected with Agent Orange. It is known that Mr. Long participated in the Tri Thien - Hue battlefield from 1966 to 1973. After that, he went through many combat units, until 1979, he participated in the border campaign and was infected with Agent Orange 41% and wounded 21%. Since then, his eyes have been affected, he cannot see clearly, his limbs are slow, often aching, and he has difficulty walking.
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Long - Chairman of the Association of Agent Orange Victims of Phong Tho district actively teaches his children and grandchildren to study to become useful people for society.
Not feeling self-conscious about being infected with dioxin, he always strives to live a good life, a life useful to society; actively participates in social activities; guides his children and grandchildren to study, practice moral qualities, and build a healthy lifestyle. Thanks to that, all 6 of his children are civil servants, and his extended family has been recognized as a cultural family for many years.
Victims of Agent Orange in Phong Tho district regularly meet, talk and share experiences in farming to develop the economy.
In particular, with the aim of gathering information, connecting, and sharing and helping each other in times of difficulty and adversity, Mr. Long mobilized and established the District Association of Agent Orange Victims, of which he is the Chairman. Currently, the association has 23 members, of which 11 are receiving the regime for resistance fighters infected with Agent Orange, the rest are veterans.
To maintain the operation and promote the value of the association, Mr. Long initiated a fund contribution of 1 million VND/person/year. The fund is used to visit and give gifts to members' families in times of difficulty, illness, or misfortune, and to help members in difficult circumstances or with medical treatment.
From 2022 to present, the association's fund has helped 3 members borrow capital with a maximum amount of 10 million VND to cover their living expenses, overcome difficulties and hardships; dozens of members have been visited and given many gifts. The association has been gradually promoting its effectiveness, being a bridge for members and a representative to protect the legitimate rights and interests of victims of Agent Orange and war invalids in the district.
Mr. Lo Van Mien - Deputy Head of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs of Phong Tho district said: "To continue to care for the lives of victims of AO/HA, in the coming time, the department will continue to review the subjects who are currently not entitled to AO/HA policies and continue to coordinate with the victims to complete the documents and procedures, submit them to the competent authorities for recognition to enjoy the policies for victims of AO/HA. Regularly grasp information, support victims of AO/HA with the State's policies.
Implement many activities, especially promoting socialization from businesses, organizations, individuals, philanthropists and taking advantage of the attention of Party committees, authorities, departments, branches, associations, and unions, to help and encourage victims to have more material and spiritual resources, overcome difficulties, integrate into the community, and actively participate in social activities launched by localities, levels, and branches. Implement payment of regimes in accordance with regulations to further motivate victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin to overcome the pain of illness, self-esteem, and difficulties in life, and strive to integrate into the community."
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