Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has called for international support and private sectors along with the State to improve the living standard of Agent Orange/dioxin victims.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the meeting. Photo: VGP

Speaking at a meeting with the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin (VAVA) on January 20, Mr. Phuc said the country needs to exert major efforts to support Agent Orange/dioxin victims.

He said it is needed to mobilize social resources, including philanthropists and different communities, to create better conditions for the victims. “The VAVA needs to consider it as a key and regular task.”

Mr. Phuc also required the association to focus on building a group of staff, who are enthusiastic, responsible, and sympathetic to the victims, and promote the VAVA’s movement “Action for the victims of Agent Orange in Vietnam”.

Established in 2004, VAVA is present in all cities and provinces with more than 400,000 members.

As of December 2020, the association mobilized nearly VND2.5 trillion (US$108 million). The aid covers house building and repair, scholarship, recruitment, production, medical checkup and free-of-charge medicine, rehabilitation, allowance, and equipment supply.

During the American War in Vietnam, the US military sprayed nearly 80 million liters of toxic chemicals, containing 366 kg of dioxin in an area equal to one fourth of South Vietnam.