40 years after the end of war

During the war in Viet Nam, the US troops sprayed nearly 80 million liters of herbicides, 61 percent of which was Agent Orange containing 366 kg of dioxin.

An estimated 4.8 million Vietnamese were exposed to the toxic chemical, with over 3 million of them dying or painfully struggling against the substance’s terrible effects.

Many women can not get married or give birth and many babies were born with severe disabilities.

Viet Nam has issued a number of policies to support the victims while seeking technologies and financial resources to decontaminate regions with high rate of dioxin.

However, it is not an overnight work. Preferential policies can only cover some 300,000 victims due to the lack of financial sources.

Only 30% of the AO/Dioxin victims can access to healthcare insurance and around 20-25% of dioxin infected children are estimated to receive functional rehabilitation services so that they can improve their health and integrate into the community.

The Viet Nam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin said it has mobilized over VND 800 billion from domestic and foreign organizations and individuals to build houses for victims, support them to find jobs and cover medical treatment. 

In a move to mark the Day for Agent Orange/Dioxin Victims (August 10), a photo exhibition opened on August 8 at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh city. The photos reflect the life of the victims across the country and their resolve towards happiness.

It is clear that addressing the dioxin issue needs more preferential policies and generosity from local and foreign donors./.

By Huong Giang