The Da Nang Association of Victims of Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin has just issued a plan to organise activities under the ‘Action Month for AO Victims 2023’ programme of great significance.

A local AO-infected female student in Da Nang. Photo: LE VAN THOM

Accordingly, during the peak period, from July 26 to August 31, relevant associations are focusing on raising awareness about the dangerous nature and long-term consequences of the AO disaster on the environment and human health, as well as guidelines and policies of the Party and State in supporting victims of AO/dioxin in Viet Nam.

At the same time, appeals will be made for sympathy, sharing and companionship of the whole society for the work of overcoming the consequences of AO, arouse compassion, promote accompaniment from the public to relieve the pain of AO in the city.

The whole association eyes to mobilize VND3 billion to help more than 5,000 AO victims who live in difficult circumstances.

The launching ceremony of the programme ‘Action Month for AO Victims 2023’ take place at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, July 28, at the city's Traditional Cultural House of the Da Nang Military Command, 4 Le Duan, in order to show gratitude to the city's philanthropies for their highly  meaningful volunteer activities for the sake of AO victims across the city.

The aforementioned event will be organised by the Da Nang Association of AO/Dioxin Victims in collaboration with Da Nang Newspaper, Da Nang TV, the municipal Military Command, the Veterans’ Association, the Youth Union, the Department of Education and Training.

According to the Viet Nam Association of Victims of AO/dioxin (VAVA), the US army sprayed 80 million litres of toxic chemicals on the South of Viet Nam between 1961 and 1971, with 61% being AO containing 366kg of dioxin, on over nearly 3.06 million hectares (equivalent to nearly one quarter of the south’s total area).

Preliminary statistics showed that 4.8 million Vietnamese people were exposed to AO/dioxin, and about 3 million people became victims. Tens of thousands of people have died and millions of others suffered from cancer and other incurable diseases as a result. Many of their offsprings also suffer from birth deformities.

Reporting by LE HUNG - Translating by A.THU