(VOVworld) – The Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange/dioxin (VAVA) has made concerted efforts to fight for justice for AO/dioxin victims over the past 10 years. According to VAVA President Nguyen Van Rinh on the occasion of the Association’s 10
th anniversary on January 10
th, a number of challenges remain but the Association will fight to the end.
During its 10-year struggle, the Association has fallen short of absolute victory, but the support of people in Vietnam and all around the world, especially in the US, has forced the US government to work with Vietnam to deal with the effects of the toxin on the environment and humans.
Vietnamese victim of AO/dioxin (Photo: VOV)
Rinh talks about VAVA’s future activities:"We can file lawsuits against American chemical manufacturers in the US or in a third country if its laws allow. Second, we will call for humanitarian aid for the victims from the US government and citizens. Third, we will encourage the US Congress to pass a bill to aid AO/dioxin victims. The struggle will be difficult but we believe that justice will prevail."
Provinces and cities nationwide celebrated VAVA’s 10th anniversary by providing additional assistance to help AO/dioxin victims stabilize their lives and integrate into society.
The Phu Tho provincial Association of Victims of Agent Orange/dioxin presented 2,000 gifts, worth 20 USD each, to local victims.
The Can Tho municipal Association of Victims of Agent Orange/dioxin provided vocational training and jobs to victims with working ability and trained volunteers to care for victims unable to care for themselves.