The signing took place at the two units’ conference co-chaired by VAVA’s President Sr. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Van Rinh and Commander of the Chemical Corps Major General Ha Van Cu on April 7 in Hanoi.

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At the conference

Under the agreement, in 2021 the two sides will organize a congress to honor outstanding AO/dioxin victims, an international seminar and a meeting to mark the 60th anniversary of the AO disaster in Vietnam and a photo exhibition. In addition, units under the Chemical Corps and VAVA will hold gratitude activities, including visits to AO/dioxin victims in localities where they are stationed.

Reports delivered at the conference revealed that between 1961 and 1971, the U.S. armed forces sprayed 80 million liters of toxic chemicals, 60% of which was Agent Orange/dioxin, over Southern Vietnam. As a result, 3 million hectares of forest were destroyed, and around 4.8 million Vietnamese were exposed to the toxic chemical. Millions of their descendants are living with deformities and diseases as a direct result of the chemical’s effects.

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The coordination agreement is signed.

Speaking at the event, Major General Ha Van Cu reaffirmed that overcoming toxic chemical consequences and helping and protecting the rights of AO/dioxin victims are the responsibility of not only VAVA, but also agencies at all levels, especially the military in general and the Chemical Corps in particular. General Cu asked agencies and units under the corps to develop a detailed action program and effectively carry out coordination activities with VAVA in the coming time.

On the occasion, the Chemical Corps presented a house to a family of a victim of Agent Orange/dioxin.

Translated by Tran Hoai