(VOVworld) – The chemical warfare the US conducted in Vietnam 50 years ago is still having human health consequences today. The Vietnamese government and social organizations are working to help victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin cope with their burdens in life.
Between 1961 and 1971, the American army sprayed 80 million liters of toxic chemicals on one-fourth of the area of southern Vietnam. 60% of the defoliant was a substance known as Agent Orange which contained a toxin called dioxin. More than 4.8 million Vietnamese people were exposed to dioxin and 3 million are still experiencing health problems today, including children of the second and third generation. Hundreds of thousands of people have died in pain. Thousands of children were born with deformities.
Diversifying support measures
After national reunification, the Vietnamese government implemented specific measures to deal with the effects of dioxin, including policies for soldiers and their children affected by the toxic chemicals. Since 2000, the government has issued more comprehensive policies for victims of Agent Orange/ Dioxin. So far the government has helped 300,000 revolution participants and their children affected by dioxin. People who didn’t get involved in the revolution but were exposed to dioxin also benefit from social welfare policies. Nguyen The Luc, Secretary General of the Viet Nam Association of Victims of AO/Dioxin, said: “About 30% of AO victims have medical insurance. Between 20 and 25% of child AO victims are enrolled in a health rehabilitation program. AO victims receive school fee, land use, and electricity subsidies, and low-interest or no-interest loans for production. All provinces have social protection centers under the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs funded by the state budget.”
In addition to government support, other social resources have been mobilized to help AO victims. The Viet Nam Association of Victims of AO/Dioxin has raised 37.6 million USD from domestic and overseas organizations and individuals for AO victims. Mr. Luc said: “The Association has used the donated money to build treatment centers and charity houses for AO victims, provide scholarships to their children, generate jobs, provide medical check-ups, and provide loans for production. We have diversified support measures.”
Pursuing justice for Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange/ Dioxin
On January 30, 2004, representing all Vietnamese AO victims, the Vietnam Association of Victims of AO/Dioxin sued 37 American chemical companies for producing and supplying toxic chemicals to the US army to use in the Vietnam war, demanding civil compensation for Vietnamese victims. The trial has passed hearings, appeals, and gone to the US Supreme Court. Although the Supreme Court refused to hear the case, the suit has made people worldwide aware of Agent Orange/ dioxin and its consequences. Dioxin victims include not just the 3 million in Vietnam, but millions more in other countries. US politicians have changed their attitude from totally rejecting the AO problem to acknowledging AO victims and areas still contaminated by dioxin. The US has contributed funding to decontaminate dioxin areas in Vietnam and has donated 5 million USD to Vietnam’s AO victims every year since 2012. Mr. Luc again: “We plan to continue legal proceedings against the American chemical companies to get them to accept legal and moral responsibility not only for Vietnamese victims but all AO victims including American veterans and veterans of other countries involved in the Vietnam war.”
The efforts of the Vietnamese government, several organizations, and compassionate individuals are helping AO victims live with their pain and their physical and emotional burdens.