After nearly 20 years of the province's establishment, with the care and attention of the Party and the State, along with personal efforts, the lives of Agent Orange (AO) victims and their families are gradually improving, so that happy smiles always appear on their lips.
The association at all levels pays special attention to and supports the livelihoods of Agent Orange victims' families to overcome difficulties and stabilize their lives.
Victims of war
As a locality in the 4th Tactical Zone, a rear base used by the US and the puppet regime as a springboard to attack U Minh Base, during the war, Hau Giang was heavily affected by the Agent Orange disaster. More than 48 years after the war ended, the consequences it left for the province are still extremely severe. Agent Orange not only destroyed the environment, but also had long-term effects on the health of resistance fighters and the people.
According to statistics, in the province, there are currently 8,542 people exposed to Agent Orange, of which 3,247 are directly infected; 4,362 people of the second generation are indirectly affected and 933 people of the third generation have disabilities and deformities. For those directly infected, Agent Orange puts them at risk of diseases such as infertility, multiple myeloma, type 2 diabetes, etc. and some types of cancer. For later generations, this toxin can cause disabilities, deformities and neurological problems.
Suffering from such severe consequences, many Agent Orange victims and their families have fallen into hardship and poverty. According to a survey conducted in the period 2007-2012, up to 70% of families of Agent Orange victims were poor, 22% of families had 2 or more victims, 90% of victims had no professional qualifications. There were victims who had to stay in one place since birth, becoming a burden to their relatives. There were families with 3 consecutive generations of Agent Orange victims, even 2-3 people in one generation.
To address these consequences, at the end of 2007, the province established and put into operation the Provincial Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin and district-level associations. Carrying out its functions and tasks, over 16 years, with more than 3 terms, the associations at all levels have actively implemented plans to overcome the consequences and made efforts to care for victims of Agent Orange in the province. Thanks to the support from the associations at all levels and the spirit of overcoming difficulties, up to now, the lives of many victims of Agent Orange in the province have changed positively.
Warm hearted through hardship
At the age of 19, like many young men from his heroic homeland, Mr. Truong Dinh Khiet, in Hamlet 7, Vinh Vien A Commune, Long My District, volunteered to join the revolution. Joining the Armed Security Force of Can Tho Province (formerly), Mr. Khiet and his teammates operated in many localities in the province, directly destroying evil, breaking shackles, and coordinating with other forces to win many battles. During his time in Xang Bo Canal (present-day Phung Hiep District), he witnessed many times the enemy spreading toxic chemicals to destroy his hometown.
However, because at that time he did not fully understand the dangers of this poison, Mr. Khiet and his comrades were still stationed, living and fighting there. After peace , he continued to be a police officer, then returned to work locally. In the early years, the lives of Mr. Khiet and his family were also extremely difficult. With the industrious and hard-working qualities of a revolutionary soldier, Mr. Khiet became a solid pillar of the family, raising 3 talented children.
More than 4 years ago, when his health showed signs of decline, Mr. Khiet was taken for an examination and confirmed to have been exposed to Agent Orange at a rate of 31%. Since then, he has received a monthly allowance for Agent Orange victims and has been visited and given gifts on holidays and Tet. “In the past, when I was in the army, I did not know what toxic chemicals were, I only knew that when the country was invaded, I had to fight to liberate the country. When peace came and I could still return to my homeland, I was happy. But when the State had preferential policies like this, I really felt warm. I kept saying that when I received the first coin, I felt love for my country and firmly believed in the Communist Party of Vietnam,” Mr. Khiet confided.
Regularly checking and assessing, more and more people who directly fought in the resistance and their children who were exposed to toxic chemicals are receiving monthly allowances. Although most of them are old and weak, thanks to this policy, many veterans who are victims of Agent Orange in the province have a more stable life. For the victims in the second and third generations, our country also has a policy of subsidizing them and their caregivers. Thanks to this, they have partly solved the difficulties in their lives.
In addition to monthly allowances, in recent times, the associations at all levels have actively cared for and supported Agent Orange victims in the province. During the 2017-2022 term, the associations at all levels visited and presented nearly 244,000 gifts on the occasion of Tet, holidays, and anniversaries. Built and repaired 66 houses for victims facing housing difficulties. Provided financial support to 667 people. Provided free medical examination and medicine to 2,040 people. Supported the livelihood of raising cows and pigs for 11 households of Agent Orange victims, etc. Thereby, gradually helping them overcome difficulties and move towards a more stable life.
Ms. Nguyen Thanh Thuy, President of the Provincial Association of Agent Orange/Dioxin Victims, said: “Many Agent Orange/Dioxin victims in the province have improved their lives compared to the previous period. Among them, there are many cases of victims who are well-off and often join hands with the association at all levels to support victims who are in more difficult circumstances. In the coming time, we will continue to perform our functions and tasks well, care for and support the livelihoods of the subjects, especially those who are still facing many difficulties, so that they can have an increasingly better life.”
There are smiles on the lips, but there are smiles that are not yet truly complete. However, with the attention of the Party and the State, the care of the province, along with the associations at all levels, Party committees, authorities at all levels and the community, the lives of Agent Orange victims in the province will increasingly improve...
62 years of Agent Orange disaster in Vietnam On August 10, 1961, the US Air Force conducted the first flight to spray defoliants and herbicides in Vietnam, opening a 10-year chemical war (1961-1971), leaving many serious consequences for the people and environment of our country. On June 25, 2004, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front decided to take August 10 every year as the Day “For Vietnamese Victims of Agent Orange”. August 10 this year is the 62nd anniversary of the Agent Orange disaster in Vietnam. |
Article and photos: DANG THU
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