Susan Hammond, who has spent decades supporting efforts to address the legacy of war in Vietnam, said she is taking part in discussions on the wars in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam and intends to meet with the US Congress members. At these events, she will raise the issue of Agent Orange/dioxin in Vietnam. Hammond sees people-to-people exchanges as a practical way to help those still affected by the war.
Ms Hammond said: "Once Americans hear about the impacts of Agent Orange in Vietnam, they really do want to do something to help. And I just wanna give one example of a family that I had the privilege of working with for the past 20 years. Bob Feldman and his wife Nancy. Some of their friends and family have provided over half a million dollars. We've been able to help over 650 families throughout Vietnam. So I want to encourage more of that type of people-to-people cooperation."
Dr. Charles R. Bailey, former chief of the Ford Foundation’s Vietnam office, said the US recently gave Vietnam 91 million USD in grant assistance, a tangible form of direct support and reparation for victims that complements Vietnam’s efforts. He said that assistance is helping victims and their families become more self-reliant.
Charles said: "Now is therefore a good moment for both countries to explore deepening their partnership on Agent Orange through greater recognition and better targeting. Better language, better targeting, better results. In this year sixty-five of Agent Orange, it is more than the right time to do so. Let's together push for progress."
Susan Berresford, former president of the Ford Foundation, who has advocated for Agent Orange/dioxin victims for decades, said she believes US policy on Agent Orange in Vietnam should be guided more strongly by the principles of restorative justice. She identified truth-telling as a key element. The US has acknowledged the chemical’s harmful effects on its own people and provided them support services, but comparable assistance has yet to be extended to Vietnamese victims on the same scale.
Susand said: "So I think we have to work hard to make justice possible with truth now, and also with clarity of what could bring us to the end and to a great agreement."
The compassion shown by these Americans and their contributions to humanitarian efforts reflect a strong sense of responsibility and humanity and have brought new hope to Agent Orange/dioxin victims in Vietnam.
