The war is long gone, but the consequences of Agent Orange by the US military have left pain for many people and families as they or their loved ones face tormenting illnesses, pain, deformities, and genetic defects that are passed on to many generations of the victims' children and grandchildren.

Ninh Binh province is not in the area directly sprayed with Agent Orange by the US, but during the resistance war against the US to save the country, our province had tens of thousands of people participating in the resistance war in the area where the US used Agent Orange. Tens of thousands of people were exposed to and suffered from the consequences of this dangerous poison. The whole province currently has nearly 5,000 victims receiving monthly subsidies from the State, many of whom are in difficult circumstances, seriously ill, and unable to take care of themselves. There are fathers and mothers who never get to raise their children because their lives are too short. There are families who are lucky enough to have children but have to painfully and painfully witness their children living with illness, deformities, and deformities for the rest of their lives. The majority of Agent Orange victims have to live in poverty, illness, hardship, and suffering both physically and mentally.

Understanding the pain that Agent Orange victims and their relatives have to endure, in recent years, the Party Committee, Government and People of Ninh Binh province have paid attention and made efforts to care for families of policy beneficiaries in general and victims affected by Agent Orange in particular, with meaningful and practical actions, accompanying the victims to somewhat ease the pain of Agent Orange left by the war.

Accordingly, along with implementing the Party's guidelines and policies, implementing the Conclusion Notice No. 292-TB/TW dated December 18, 2009 of the Central Party Secretariat (10th tenure) on resolving the consequences of toxic chemicals and caring for and assisting victims of Agent Orange/dioxin and Directive No. 43-CT/TW dated May 14, 2015 of the Central Party Secretariat (11th tenure) on strengthening the Party's leadership in resolving the consequences of toxic chemicals used by the US during the war in Vietnam.

All levels, sectors, socio-political organizations, and mass organizations are interested in and allocate funds to care for and help victims and their families of Agent Orange. Seriously organize and implement policies and regimes related to Agent Orange victims, such as monthly allowances, subsidies for service personnel, and children of resistance fighters; health insurance, tuition exemptions for themselves and their children. At the same time, the Association of Agent Orange/Dioxin Victims at all levels in the province has taken practical and specific actions and tasks in calling for and mobilizing support from organizations, individuals, and philanthropists in caring for and helping Agent Orange victims with funding for house construction and repair; giving gifts on holidays and Tet; free medical examination and treatment; supporting loans for economic development, vocational training for victims' children, and job creation...

Every year, the Association of Agent Orange/Dioxin Victims at all levels in the province has called for, mobilized, and raised tens of billions of VND and many machines and equipment such as wheelchairs, tools, medical treatment machines, rehabilitation machines, and mobility aids, which are managed and used for the right purposes, openly and transparently, supporting and backing victims in many appropriate forms, contributing to caring for and helping Agent Orange victims, encouraging them to rise up in life, and easing their pain to integrate into the community.

However, Agent Orange/dioxin is a dangerous poison, causing diverse and complex damage to all physiological parts of the body. What is more heartbreaking is that this poison can be passed down through many generations. There are many families where the consequences of Agent Orange have been passed down to the third and fourth generations. Along with that, the material and spiritual life of Agent Orange victims mostly faces many difficulties and deprivations. Although receiving subsidies and care from the Party, State and society, many families do not have the funds to care for and treat the victims. Many Agent Orange victims face terrible diseases every day due to dioxin poisoning, suffering both physical and mental pain; many victims give birth to children with deformities, mental disabilities, are unable to work, produce, and have no source of income..., so they are in great need of attention, encouragement, sharing and help from the community and society.

To join hands to ease the pain of Agent Orange, it is necessary to continue to have leadership documents, instructions and regulations on regimes and policies for resistance fighters infected with toxic chemicals and their descendants, creating a legal corridor and favorable conditions for implementation.

Party committees, authorities, the Fatherland Front and organizations at all levels continue to pay attention, take many practical measures and actions, suitable to the conditions and circumstances of the locality and unit. Along with that, strengthen inspection and supervision work, focus on thoroughly resolving outstanding issues, and prevent negative incidents from occurring during the implementation process. Regularly pay attention to consolidating and perfecting the organization of the Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin at all levels, meeting the requirements and tasks in the new situation. Flexibly implement forms of care and assistance for victims in a specific, practical manner, suitable to the circumstances of each person and each family. Promote the socialization of care and assistance for victims of Agent Orange, creating consensus and response among all classes of people. At the same time, promote advocacy, appeal, and attract the attention, support and assistance of overseas Vietnamese, foreign organizations and international friends. Strictly manage, publicly and transparently use and effectively promote mobilized resources...

Those actions towards Agent Orange victims demonstrate the ethics of "When drinking water, remember its source" and "Repaying gratitude" to those who have contributed to the country, contributing to ensuring social security and socio-economic development in the locality.

Article and photos: Hanh Chi