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A family with three A/O victims in Nhon Hung, An Nhon District. Photo N.Q |
After 33 years of the country’s liberation, Vietnamese Agent Orange victims are still the poorest and the most miserable people. On the occasion of the Day for Agent Orange/dioxin victims (August 10), Binh Dinh Newspaper reporter spoke with Vice Director of provincial Department of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Welfare Phan Nhu Hai about policies for A/O victims in Binh Dinh.
* Which policies have been promulgated to aid A/O victims in their life?
The Government steered provinces to investigate the number of A/O victims in localities in 1998. Binh Dinh found 14,064 A/O victims and then found more 311. In 2002, the PM promulgated the Decision No 26 on some policies for A/O victims, mainly including those who joined the resistance war and their children. 871 A/O victims in Binh Dinh benefited from the Decision No 26.
In April 23, 2007, the Government also promulgated the Decree No 67 adding that A/O victims are “severe disabled people who can’t work or do anything by themselves in poor households.” They will be aided with VND240,000 a month. A/O victims joining the resistance war will benefit from the Decree No 54 promulgated on May 16, 2006.
At present, Binh Dinh has 823 A/O victims joining the resistance war and 664 child victims. They are monthly aided with an amount of money. Also, A/O victims were provided with medical insurance, and tools for orthopedics.
* There are scores of A/O victims but policies for A/O victims are limited. Their lives are facing many difficulties.
That’s right. A/O victim families are now facing many difficulties. The State’s support can’t meet all demands. However, policies couldn’t be adjusted owing to the limitation of the budget. It’s, therefore, necessary to mobilize many resources in the society.
Many projects have been carried out to help A/O victims in healthcare, vocational training, and other problems with the support of individuals and organisations.
The American Veterans’ Association conducted the project of supporting disabled and poor people, prioritizing dioxin victims. This helped A/O victims in Phu Cat District in building houses.
There are still many A/O victims and they need our help. On the occasion of the Day for Agent Orange/dioxin victims (August 10), I hope the community could help more and more A/O victims.
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