Belgian Chamber of Representatives Adopts Resolution in Aid of Vietnam's AO Victims

The Belgian Chamber of Representatives recently passed a resolution in support of the Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin victims in Vietnam, with absolute approval votes, VNA reported.

In the plenary session of the Parliament presided over by the President of the Chamber of Representatives Eliane Tillieux, the parliamentarians listened to opinions regarding this resolution.

At the plenary session of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives. Photo: VNA

Lawmaker André Flahaut, who submitted the resolution to the Federal Parliament in December 2021, recounted his visit to Hoa Binh Village in Vietnam where he witnessed the devastating effects of AO on the Vietnamese people across generations. He underlined the need to build a "livable" future for future generations, especially in Vietnam.

Lawmaker Michel De Maegd said that the Vietnamese AO victims need long-term support because many areas have been contaminated with chemical toxins sprayed by the US troops during the war, and there is a need for soil and water decontamination. The AO issue in Vietnam has also caused ecological consequences.

Els Van Hoof, chairwoman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives, said the approval of the resolution holds significance as this year marks the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Belgium diplomatic ties.

She called for protecting AO victims as millions of Vietnamese people have been exposed to this chemical toxin during the war and continue facing long-term consequences such as illness, disabilities, and contaminated land.

After the resolution was passed, Flahaut sent a letter to the Vietnamese Embassy expressing his joy that the Belgian Parliament had become the world's first legislature to approve a resolution supporting the AO victims of Vietnam.

On the occasion, he confirmed his commitment and determination to act for the women, men, and children who are AO victims.

The Belgian Chamber of Representatives on June 20 held a hearing on the draft resolution.

Present at the session, Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Van Thao briefed the participants on policies, action programs, and plans for war victims in Vietnam, as well as the close coordination between Vietnam and the US in settling war consequences.

According to the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/dioxin (VAVA), the US army sprayed 80 million liters of toxic chemicals on the South of Vietnam between 1961 and 1971, with 61% being AO containing 366kg of dioxin, on over nearly 3.06 million hectares (equivalent to nearly one-quarter of the south’s total area).

Preliminary statistics showed that 4.8 million Vietnamese people were exposed to AO/dioxin, and about 3 million people became victims. Tens of thousands of people have died and millions of others suffered from cancer and other incurable diseases as a result. Many of their offspring also suffer from birth deformities.

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