 |
Volunteer
teachers instruct children at the centre for Agent Orange victims and
underprivileged children in Da Nang City. — VNA/VNS Photo Duong Ngoc |
HCM
CITY – The struggle in support for Agent Orange victims has seen some
progress but more efforts are required to deliver them justice, a
seminar held in HCM City yesterday to mark Orange Day, August 10, heard.
Doctors,
scientists, lawyers, and AO victims attended the seminar, Agent Orange –
Message from the Heart, held ahead of the 49th anniversary of the day
the US began a 10-year campaign to spray 80 million litres of the deadly
dioxin on Viet Nam.
They discussed the responsibilities of the US Government and chemical companies that produced the AO that was used.
Nguyen
Thi Ngoc Phuong, vice president of the Viet Nam Association for Victims
of Agent Orange/Dioxin (VAVA), who has returned after recently
testifying in Washington, said there was an improvement in the US
attitude, explaining it was the first time an AO victim was invited to
speak at a hearing.
The
US's tone had changed and it was speaking about co-operation between the
two countries and has promised to help clean up the environment in Viet
Nam and assist with rehabilitation of AO victims, she said.
"Inviting
representatives of VAVA and AO victims this time means the US
Government has changed its mindset over the relationship between AO and
health."
Viet Nam has 28
spots where the chemical was stored that need to be detoxified and
people living in their vicinity are still affected by the chemical.
"I was happy because the US Government has seen its responsibility to AO victims," Phuong said.
"But they still refuse legal liability."
The
US has admitted than annual aid of $30 million for 10 years is not
enough to resolve the problem, she said, adding she proposed $3 billion a
year.
Every year the Vietnamese Government spends $100 million to assist victims and clean up the environment.
New village
Major
General Tran Ngoc Tho, head of the Viet Nam Association for Victims of
Agent Orange/Dioxin in HCM City, said his organisation planned to build a
village in the city to take care of victims and provide them jobs.
Paul Phillip, an Australian who has been working in Viet Nam for six years to support AO victims, said:
"I
hope a huge ceremony will be held in Viet Nam by the UN to warn the
world against producing chemical weapons and [make sure] none will be
dropped anywhere in the world."
Individuals
and both domestic and international organisations pledged VND8 billion
(US$421,000) for Agent Orange-Dioxin victims during a television
programme that was telecast throughout Viet Nam on Sunday.
The
VAVA and Viet Nam Television for Victims of Agent Orange-Dioxin
programme organised the show titled, "Justice and the Heart."
Leading figures
It
was shown on both VTV-1 and the international channel VTV-4 and was
held to mark the Day for Victims of Agent Orange-Dioxin that falls
today.
Former Viet Nam
Communist Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu; former Vice President
Nguyen Thi Binh; National Assembly and VAVA honorary Chairman Tong Thi
Phong and Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan appeared on the
programme.
Overcoming hardship
The
Deputy Prime Minister praised the victims of the defoliant for their
efforts to overcome their difficulties and contribute to the community.
He
also thanked those who care for and provide child victims with
vocational training at the Huu Nghi (Friendship) Centre and applauded
the students for learning the skills necessary to employment.
They were fine examples for other victims and he hoped their example would be followed.
The
Party, State, organisations and individuals within and without Viet Nam
had and would continue to support the victims to overcome the
consequences of Agent Orange, he said.
Viet Nam's international friends had provided much support to obtain justice for the victims.
Journey for justice
The
Deputy Prime Minister said that ministries and sectors had proposed
many new programmes and policies, including policies for victims of
agent orange; a programme for the clearance of Agent Orange at 28
contaminated sites and the establishment of centres for victims across
the country.
Agent
Orange victim Pham The Minh, who has just completed a "Journey for
Justice" in seven cities of the United States said the support of
American veterans had helped him forget the pain and believe in the
success of the effort.
The
Vietnam News Agency (VNA) will open a representative office for its
fund "For the pain of Agent Orange" in HCM City today when gifts will be
presented to AO victims.
The
Viet Nam Government has made August 10 ‘Agent Orange Day' because the
first batch of the defoliant was sprayed on forests around Kon Tum
Province, the Central Highlands, on August 10, 1961.
HCM City walk
On Sunday about 10,000 people walked in downtown HCM City to seek support for Agent Orange victims.
The walk organised by the Viet Nam Red Cross sought the community's support for AO victims, including disabled people.
The
Red Cross in more than 30 provinces and cities donated VND30 billion
($1.6 million) to AO victims as well as 150 scholarships and 100
wheelchairs.
Music show
VAVA plans to hold a music show at the HCM City Opera House tonight to unveil a new fund for Agent Orange victims.
It has been established by the city People's Committee to mobilise support from the community to improve victims' lives.
VAVA figures show that 4.8 million Vietnamese were exposed to AO-dioxin with 3 million victims. — VNS
by http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/
No comments:
Post a Comment