The Da Nang Association of Agent Orange (AO) Victims broke ground on a detoxification and rehabilitation centre for local AO victims, which is the first of its kind in the city.

Funded by the Harris Freeman Foundation, the 2-storey centre is being built on an area of 200m² at a total cost of over 2 billion VND.  The centre, which is expected to open its doors later this year, will include steam and rehabilitation rooms and a sports area. 

The ground breaking ceremony for the centre

The centre, once operational, will provide dioxin detoxification for 3 generations of the victims exposed to the wartime toxic chemical, as well as to those who want to remove toxins and hazardous chemicals from their bodies.  It is expected to treat over 100 people during the first year of its operation.

The centre will treat the AO victims with a sauna-based detoxification method in combination with drinking US-made vitamins.  This aims to release the toxins from their bodies, and restore their health.

The city is now home to over 5,000 AO victims, more than 1,400 of whom are children.  About 200 of these children are living in 3 shelters which are under the management of the city's Support Centre for AO Victims and Disadvantaged Children.