Over 2.424 billion VND raised to care for victims of Agent Orange.

On the morning of May 27th, in Hanoi, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin held its 5th Congress of Outstanding Exemplars "For Victims of Agent Orange," covering the period 2026-2031.

A view of the 5th Congress of Outstanding Exemplars "For Victims of Agent Orange," covering the period 2026-2031.

Attending and presenting congratulatory flower baskets to the congress were Comrade Bui Thi Minh Hoai, Member of the Political Bureau, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and Central Mass Organizations, and Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front; and Lieutenant General Nguyen Truong Thang, Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Standing Member of the Central Military Commission, and Deputy Minister of National Defense.

Lieutenant General Nguyen Huu Chinh, member of the Presidium of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front , and Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin, presided over the congress.

Comrade Bui Thi Minh Hoai, Member of the Political Bureau , Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and Central Mass Organizations, and Chairwoman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, presented a congratulatory flower basket to the congress.

The congress, attended by 268 delegates, aimed to summarize the "For Victims of Agent Orange" emulation movement for the period 2021-2026; determine the direction and objectives for the period 2026-2031; and commend outstanding collectives and individuals in the work of caring for and supporting victims of Agent Orange.

According to the report presented at the congress, by the end of 2025, more than 252,850 people who participated in the resistance movement and were exposed to chemical toxins, along with their children, will be entitled to preferential policies; and more than 45,000 grandchildren and great-grandchildren will be entitled to social welfare policies.

During the period 2021-2025, the entire Association raised over 2.424 billion VND, of which international fundraising accounted for approximately 10%. The total funding for caring for and supporting victims reached nearly 2.314 billion VND, including over 172 billion VND for building and repairing houses; over 1.114 billion VND for gifts during Tet and August 10th; and over 55.7 billion VND to support victim care centers.

Outstanding victims of Agent Orange who overcame hardship attended the congress.

Many models of livelihood support, vocational training, job creation, capital assistance, and production tools have been effectively implemented, contributing to helping victims and their families overcome difficulties and reintegrate into the community.

The "For Victims of Agent Orange" emulation movement continues to create positive changes in the activities of associations at all levels, enhancing the position and prestige of the organization, and becoming a reliable bridge connecting victims of Agent Orange with the community.

On the people-to-people diplomacy front, the Association continues to support the lawsuit filed by Ms. Tran To Nga in France on behalf of victims of Agent Orange/dioxin. This lawsuit has contributed to promoting expanded support for people with disabilities in Vietnam during the 2021-2030 period. In particular, the Belgian House of Representatives' unanimous adoption of a resolution supporting Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange is considered a significant milestone on the international stage.

At the congress, many exemplary individuals who overcame adversity were honored. Ms. Nguyen Thi Ha, despite suffering from severe mobility impairments due to the effects of Agent Orange, has overcome numerous surgeries, opened a barbershop to stabilize her life, and provided free vocational training to over 100 young people in similar circumstances.

Veteran Le Van Tong, whose wife and children are all affected by Agent Orange, has successfully developed models of timber cutting, fruit tree planting, and fish farming, generating an income of over 200 million VND per year and helping his family escape poverty sustainably.

Despite being a second-generation victim of Agent Orange, Ms. Pham Thi Ly has persistently maintained a free charity class for underprivileged children for 15 years.

The congress also honored dedicated caregivers such as Mrs. Nguyen Thi Dan, who for many years cared for her husband and four children who were victims of Agent Orange; and Mrs. Hua Hoa, who cared for her blind husband, her daughter with congenital mental illness, and two young grandchildren with developmental delays.

Lieutenant General Nguyen Huu Chinh, member of the Presidium of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin, delivered a speech at the congress.

Speaking at the Congress, Lieutenant General Nguyen Huu Chinh emphasized that the "For Victims of Agent Orange" emulation movement has strongly spread the spirit of "mutual support and compassion," affirming the responsibility of the entire society towards those who still bear the heavy burden of war.

Entering the 2026-2031 period, the Congress voted to approve the direction and objectives with the motto: "Innovation - Focusing on the grassroots - Focusing on victims". The Association strives for 100% of eligible communes, wards/special zones to establish association branches; the entire Association aims to mobilize resources of 400 billion VND/year or more.

In addition, the Association will shift strongly from providing emergency humanitarian assistance to sustainable support based on the motto "Livelihood and Integration," improving the effectiveness of care, assistance, and the struggle for justice for victims of Agent Orange.

The Central Committee of the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin awarded commemorative medals to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the care and support of victims.

On this occasion, the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin awarded commemorative medals and certificates of merit to outstanding collectives and individuals who have made significant contributions to the care and support of victims, including Mr. Karl Van den Bossche, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Vietnam.

ANH THO

Source: https://nhandan.vn/van-dong-hon-2424-ty-dong-cham-lo-nan-nhan-chat-doc-da-cam-post965032.html