Bac Giang (VNA) – The Association for Victims of Agent Orange (AO)/Dioxin of the northern province of Bac Giang has launched various activities in respond to the national action month for AO/dioxin victims, which will run through August 31.
Accordingly, Bac Giang will promote communication work on the severe consequences of AO/dioxin; efforts of the Party, the State, all levels and agencies in overcoming the consequences, thereby creating consensus and joint work in society to ease the pain of AO/Dioxin victims. The province will mobilise all resources to care for and help the victims and honouring outstanding individuals and organisations who have made many positive contributions to social work.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, Mai Son, vice chairman of provincial People’s Committee called on local associations, organisations and individuals to join hands to help AO/Dioxin victims and their families overcome difficulties.
On this occasion, the fund for victims of Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin of Bac Giang province and provincial study promotion association presented 40 packages of gifts to the victims in the locality. Agencies, units and businesses donated more than 230 million VND (9,700 USD) to the fund while 15 agencies and localities have registered to carry out activities in response to the Action Month for Victims of AO/Dioxin with more than 2.5 billion VND in total.
The provincial Association for Victims of AO/dioxin has also launched a text message campaign to raise funds for AO/dioxin victims.
Since 2020, the association has mobilised over 28 billion VND to cater to the needs of these victims and their families. Thanks to the funding, the association has built or repaired 91 houses for local AO/dioxin victims, presented 170 wheelchairs and 52,000 packages of gifts and provided medical checkups for nearly 5,700 victims.
There are more than 5,800 AO/dioxin victims eligible for regular State support in Bac Giang province at present.
According to the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/dioxin, the US Army sprayed 80 million liters of toxic chemicals on the South of Vietnam between 1961 and 1971. Some 4.8 million Vietnamese people were exposed to AO/dioxin, and about 3 million people became victims./.