Social Affairs
Calling on international cooperation to demand justice for Vietnamese AO victims
An international seminar to discuss outcomes on Agent Orange (AO) consequences on the occasion of 55 years of AO catastrophe in Vietnam (August 10,1961-2016) was organised in Hanoi from August 8-9.
The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister (PM) Vu Duc Dam, former Japanese Prime Minister Yuki Hatoyama, representatives from foreign embassies in Vietnam, Vietnamese agencies, and domestic and international scientists and social activists.
The seminar aims to share research outcomes on Agent Orange (AO) consequences and discuss measures to help Vietnamese AO/dioxin victims.
According to the Vietnam Association of Victims of AO/Dioxin’s (VAVA), from 1961 - 1971, US troops sprayed more than 80 million litres of herbicides, 44 million litres of which were AO, containing nearly 370 kilograms of dioxin, over southern Vietnam.
As a result, around 4.8 million Vietnamese were exposed to the toxic chemical, about 3 million of them became AO victims, tens of thousands of people died, millions of their descendants are living with deformities and diseases as a direct result of the chemical’s effects.
Speaking at the workshop, Deputy PM Dam stressed the Vietnamese State, Government and people wish that all war victims, especially AO/dioxin victims, receive sufficient support to have a better life.
So, Vietnam has implemented multiple pragmatic and effective activities to assist the victims, he said.
The Deputy PM called on the international community, countries, organisations and individuals at home and abroad to join efforts in overcoming the consequences of the toxic chemical sprayed by the US during the war.
Dam described the seminar as a practical activity that promotes drives for the victims, calls for solidarity, and for the prevention of the use of chemical weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.
The event makes a chance for domestic and foreign scientists, managers and social activists to exchange scientific research, to help make it clearer the severe consequences the chemical had on the local environment and on humans.
The delegates proposed countermeasures and called for more material and spiritual support for the AO victims, as well as the public’s backing for their fight for justice.
The most important task is to complete policies on caring for and supporting AO victims, participants said.
All the tasks need a great endeavour by Vietnam and the support of the international community, delegates added.
Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam speaks at the seminar.
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According to the Vietnam Association of Victims of AO/Dioxin’s (VAVA), from 1961 - 1971, US troops sprayed more than 80 million litres of herbicides, 44 million litres of which were AO, containing nearly 370 kilograms of dioxin, over southern Vietnam.
Former Japanese Prime Minister Yuki Hatoyama makes a speech at the seminar.
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Speaking at the workshop, Deputy PM Dam stressed the Vietnamese State, Government and people wish that all war victims, especially AO/dioxin victims, receive sufficient support to have a better life.
So, Vietnam has implemented multiple pragmatic and effective activities to assist the victims, he said.
The Deputy PM called on the international community, countries, organisations and individuals at home and abroad to join efforts in overcoming the consequences of the toxic chemical sprayed by the US during the war.
Dam described the seminar as a practical activity that promotes drives for the victims, calls for solidarity, and for the prevention of the use of chemical weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.
The event makes a chance for domestic and foreign scientists, managers and social activists to exchange scientific research, to help make it clearer the severe consequences the chemical had on the local environment and on humans.
The delegates proposed countermeasures and called for more material and spiritual support for the AO victims, as well as the public’s backing for their fight for justice.
The most important task is to complete policies on caring for and supporting AO victims, participants said.
All the tasks need a great endeavour by Vietnam and the support of the international community, delegates added.
