International Friends Join Hands to Ease Pain of Agent Orange in Vietnam
	Engaging People's Diplomacy in Supporting Agent Orange Victims

Helping victims of Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin to have sustainable livelihoods and integrate into the community is among the key tasks of the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin (VAVA) in 2025.

Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien and US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper visited and presented gifts to those staying at the Hanoi center for caring, nurturing, and treating victims of Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin in Ba Vi suburban district, on the occasion of the 63rd anniversary of the Day for AO/dioxin Victims (August 10). (Photo: dacamvietnam)

At a conference held on December 26 in Hanoi, the association said that it has chosen the theme of “Livelihood and Integration” for next year. The association will also change the methods to mobilize resources to support AO/dioxin victims.

Assistance for the victims will focus on housing, medical treatment, and vocational training so that victims can become self-sufficient and overcome their difficulties. Additionally, the association will continue to call for support from international organizations and friends.

August 10, 2024, marks the 63rd anniversary of the Day for Vietnamese Victims of Agent Orange/dioxin. Over the past years, Vietnamese people and their international friends have organized activities to help victims of Agent Orange/dioxin overcome their difficulties.

Over 5,000 joined charity walks to support Agent Orange/dioxin victims on August 2024.

Apart from its central committee, the association is now present in all 63 centrally-run cities and provinces with over 400,000 members nationwide. The fund for AO/dioxin victims has been set up at the central level and in 40 of the 63 provincial-level localities, not to mention those in 108 districts and the voluntary ones in nearly 550 communes, wards, and townships.

In 2024, the associations mobilized over VND 521 billion (US $20.47 million) to support the victims. The association’s branches at all levels have helped AO/dioxin victims to build and repair 924 houses with funding exceeding VND 36 billion and provided regular care for nearly 3,900 victims in centers and communities with total funding of over VND 14.8 billion.

During the Lunar New Year 2024, the association gave AO/dioxin victims more than 250,000 gifts worth nearly 243 billion VND. It also provided over 15,400 scholarships, 2,662 wheelchairs and bicycles, and emergency assistance to victims affected by natural disasters and floods with nearly 1.6 million support packages.

On this occasion, the VAVA also honored 10 collectives, 34 collectives, and 37 individuals for their contributions to activities for AO victims in 2024.

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