The opening ceremony of a photo exhibition entitled “The Effects of Agent Orange - Conscience and Justice” took place at the Museum of Da Nang, 24 Tran Phu Street, on Tuesday.  The event is being co-organised by the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Association for AO Victims (VAVA), the Ha Noi Chemical Army Museum, the municipal People’s Committee, and the Da Nang Association of AO victims (DAVA).

Addressing the event, the municipal People’s Committee Vice Chairman, Mr Vo Duy Khuong, said that there are over 5,000 AO victims in the city, including 1,400 children, and they are suffering both physical and mental pains caused by dioxin.  He affirmed that the local authorities would create even more favourable conditions for DAVA to help local victims.

Vice Chairman Khuong presenting gifts to local AO-affected children

VAVA’s Deputy Chairwoman, Mrs Nguyen Thi Ngoc Phuong, said that about 4.8 million Vietnamese people have been exposed to Agent Orange/dioxin, and over 3 million of them are victims.  Thousands have died, and millions of people and their descendants are still suffering diseases and difficulties due to the effects of dioxin. 

She added that the exhibition aims to help both domestic and foreign visitors to understand more about the AO/dioxin disaster in Viet Nam, as well as calling for them to support the Vietnamese struggle for justice for AO victims.

48-year old Drew Brown from the USA, a member of the US War Veterans' Association, said that he had been a news reporter in wars in many countries worldwide.  However, he added that he only knew about the war in Viet Nam through newspapers, books and the TV.  He expressed his sadness about the pain suffered by Vietnamese AO victims which was caused by the US military during the war years.  He also said he hopes that the US government will be responsible and compensate for the problems they have brought to the Vietnamese people.

Mr Drew Brown viewing photos at the exhibition

Mr Brown added that he has had 3 articles about Vietnamese AO victims published in US newspapers.  He affirmed that he would continue to write until the US government agrees to give more active support to Vietnamese victims.

72-year old Andre Tierce from France said that, thanks to the exhibition, he can understand better the pain that the majority of the Vietnamese people suffered during the war years.

18-year-old Nguyen Hoang Thi from Thanh Khe District hoped that similar exhibitions could be held in many other places across the city, such as in parks and schools, to encourage more people to visit.