In Hanoi, a programme entitled 'Joining hands to ease the pain of AO victims' took place on the evening of August 9. The event called for more assistance for AO victims and support in their struggle for justice.
The annual event was co-organised by the Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin (VAVA), the Communist Party of Vietnam Online Newspaper and Vietnam Television.
Addressing the programme, Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Vu Trong Kim, sent his greeting to the victims of AO from across the country and commended AO victims who have overcome their difficulties to live a successful life.
He also thanked domestic and foreign benefactors for their assistance to AO victims and praised the VAVA for being a solid support for AO victims and a reliable bridge connecting victims with the community.
The Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee appealed to Vietnamese citizens and the international community to continue to help AO victims and to support their struggle for justice which demands the US Government to take responsibility in the remedying of the effects of toxic chemicals used during the war in Vietnam.
At the programme, the audience had the chance to meet and talk with AO victims who have set excellent examples by overcoming their disadvantaged situations and dedicated themselves to society. Among these highlighted individuals were; Huynh Van Can the former Secretary of Dak Lak provincial Party Committee and Vo Thi Dep Chairman of VAVA in Tay Ninh province.
On the same day, Ho Chi Minh City's Red Cross Society held a 'Walk for AO victims and people with disabilities', attracting the participation of more than 3,000 people.
During the charitable walk over VND2.1 billion (US$98,700) was raised to help AO victims and other disabled people. The money will be spent on building houses, awarding scholarships, cash donations and the purchasing of production tools to donate to disabled people.
In Nam Dinh province, nearly 200 gifts worth VND800,000 each along with five wheelchairs were presented to AO victims in the locality. A delegation from Military Hospital 103 also provided free health checks and medicine to1,000 AO victims in the three districts of Xuan Truong, Y Yen and Nghia Hung.
The VAVA and Red Cross Society in Thua Thien - Hue province visited and presented 150 gifts to AO victims in the province. This year, the province has collected a total of over VND400 million to present to AO victims in extreme difficulties.
Many other localities in the country have also organised charitable activities in support of AO victims.
