Participants at the seminar to mark the Day for Victims of Agent Orange /dioxin in Vietnam on August 9, 2020 (Photo:qdnd.vn)

The seminar cited data of the US Department of Defense as saying that from 1961 to 1971 the US Army conducted nearly 20 thousand flights, sprayed nearly 80 million liters of toxic chemicals, of which 61% were Agent Orange on Vietnamese soil. About 4.8 million Vietnamese people were exposed to the defoliant. In recent years, the post-war remediation has achieved results. A project to treat dioxin pollution at Da Nang airport has completed and a project to decontaminate Bien Hoa airport has begun. Agent Orange/Dioxin victims have received support and healthcare. Vietnam has signed with the US Agency for International Development a 65 million USD non-refundable aid agreement for a project to support Vietnamese people with disabilities in provinces sprayed with Agent Orange.

Speaking at the seminar, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Rinh, Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Agent Orange/Dioxin Victims called for further assistance: “We hope that the Party, State, administrations at all levels, and the entire political system will continue to pay attention and create favorable conditions for Agent Orange victims to stabilize their lives and integrate into the community. On this occasion, on behalf of the Vietnam Association of Agent Orange/Dioxin Victims, I call upon individuals and international organizations, including the US government and people, to continue to take responsibility and ensure that  the Vietnamese people overcome the consequences of toxic chemicals left on humans and the environment. "

The photo exhibition “Aspiration to rise” can be seen online at trienlamdacam.vn until October 9. The exhibition features toxic chemical disasters, the support of the State and international friends; the fight for justice of Agent Orange/Dioxin victims of Vietnam; and role model in overcoming difficulties to move forward.