The war has been over for nearly half a century, but the pain of Agent Orange is still present in the daily lives of more than 1,000 people in the province. Over the years, together with all levels and sectors, the Provincial Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin has always paid attention to the material and spiritual lives of the victims, helping them to reduce difficulties and confidently rise up in life.
Mr. Nguyen Hong Quan, Chairman of the Provincial Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin, said: Established in April 2018, the Association now has 9 branches in districts and cities, with 457 members. With the motto of "Solidarity - Love - Responsibility - For Victims of Agent Orange", the Association is responsible for caring for and protecting the rights of victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin and legally representing members in relations with organizations and individuals inside and outside the province; receiving funding and support from organizations and individuals to help members stabilize their lives.
Currently, 100% of members are paid monthly allowances, of which 281 are directly exposed and 173 are children of infected resistance fighters. In addition, the Association has coordinated with the Provincial Veterans Association to review and grasp the living conditions of members. On holidays, all levels, sectors, unions, organizations and individuals have organized visits and given gifts to help members' families, especially those in difficult circumstances. From 2018 to present, agencies, units, businesses and philanthropists have supported the construction and repair of many houses for members; provided wheelchairs, warm clothes, awarded scholarships, and visited members when they were sick, with a total cost of 1.4 billion VND. In particular, the Central Association of Agent Orange Victims supported the construction and repair of 7 houses of gratitude, donated 75 gifts, 45 wheelchairs and 2 scholarships, under the "Seeds of Hope" project supported by the Vietnam Agent Orange Victims Fund, with a total cost of 218 million VND.
In 1973-1974, Mr. Lo Van Quoc, Thai Cong village, Phong Lang commune, Thuan Chau district, participated in the war in the South and was infected with Agent Orange. For the past several decades, he has suffered from the pain of the after-effects of toxic chemicals. Mr. Quoc shared: I have a son with congenital intellectual disability due to the effects of toxic chemicals. Every month, I receive a subsidy of more than 2 million VND, my son receives 1.6 million VND. In addition, on holidays and Tet, the Party Committee and government care for, encourage, visit, and give gifts, helping me have more strength to overcome difficulties.
Currently, in Yen Chau district, there are 74 victims of Agent Orange/dioxin, of which 49 people were directly exposed and 25 people were indirectly exposed. Mr. Nguyen Quy Don, Head of the District Association of Agent Orange/dioxin Victims, informed: Established in 2020, the Association is a place for members to meet, share and encourage each other to overcome the pain. Every year, in addition to organizing activities to visit and encourage members when they are sick, giving gifts on holidays and Tet, the Association also helps members in difficult circumstances to develop the economy , guide the application of technical advances in production, help members' families increase income and improve their lives.
However, the settlement of regimes for victims of Agent Orange is still facing difficulties due to lack of documents, or original documents are lost; operating costs depend entirely on mobilized funding sources, support from units, philanthropists... Therefore, the Association hopes that all levels, sectors, and localities will pay attention to ensuring operating costs for the Association; the social community will continue to support and help victims of toxic chemicals, giving them more strength to overcome the pain and rise up in life.
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