The central provinces of Nghe An and Quang Binh have planned various activities to further assist Agent Orange (AO)/Dioxin victims in the localities in 2014.

This year, the AO/dioxin victim fund of Nghe An plans to collect around three billion VND (142,800 USD), repair and build over 20 houses for families of AO/Dioxin victims, and grant 30 scholarships for their children.

It is also set to present 1,000 gift packages to families of victims on the occasion of the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday.

In 2013, the Nghe An fund received financial support totalling more than 2.5 billion VND (119,000 USD), presented over 3,300 gift packages and 93 scholarships, and built 48 houses for target families.

Nghe An is home to nearly 40,000 people infected with toxic chemicals. However, only about 15,600 AO/Dioxin victims have benefited from preferential policies.

Meanwhile, the Quang Binh Association for Victims of AO/Dioxin will increase the popularisation of the chemicals’ consequences to raise local officials and residents’ awareness.

It will effectively implement the State’s policies for the victims and people who rendered services during wartime, and call for donations from society.

Founded in November 2009, the association has given assistance to more than 5,600 victims and collected nearly 12.7 billion VND (604,800 USD) for the AO/Dioxin victim fund of Quang Binh.

VNA