Son La cares for Agent Orange victims

The war has passed for nearly half a century, but the pain of Agent Orange (AO) still lingers in the daily lives of more than 1,000 people in Son La province. Over the past years, together with authorities at all levels and agencies, the Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin’s chapter in Son La province (VAVA Son La) has always cared for the material and spiritual life of the victims.

VAVA Son La was established in April 2018. The chapter now has nine branches in districts and cities, with 457 members. With the motto "Solidarity - Love - Responsibility - For Agent Orange victims", it is responsible for taking care of and protecting the interests of Agent Orange/dioxin victims and serves as a legal representative for its members in relations with organizations and individuals inside and outside the province.

It is also in charge of receiving donations from organizations and individuals to help its members stabilize their lives.

Officers from the Division of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs of Thuan Chau district visit an AO victim in Thai Cong village, Phong Lang commune.

Currently, all members are paid a monthly allowance. Of them, 281 are directly exposed to AO and 173 are the biological children of infected resistance war participants. On Lunar New Year (Tet) and holidays, agencies at all levels, sectors, unions, organizations and individuals have visited and given gifts to members' families, especially those in difficult circumstances.

Since 2018, agencies, units, businesses and benefactors have supported the construction and repair of many houses for members; presented wheelchairs, warm clothes and scholarships; and supported those with illnesses, with a total cost of 1.4 billion VND (58,960 USD).

The VAVA Central Committee aided the construction and repair of seven houses of gratitude; and gave 75 gifts, 45 wheelchairs and two scholarships worth 218 million VND (9,228 USD) in total under the "Seeds of Hope" project funded by the Fund for Agent Orange/Dioxin Victims.

Currently, the settlement of benefits for AO victims still faces many difficulties due to lack of documents or loss of original papers. It is hoped that authorities at all levels, agencies, localities and social communities will continue to support victims of toxic chemicals, giving them strength to overcome their pain and rise up in life.

Huyen Trang
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