Vietnam Party Calls for Better Care for AO Victims
Politburo member and standing member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Le Hong Anh has requested strengthened Party leadership in overcoming consequences of toxic chemicals sprayed by US troops during the war in Vietnam. The Secretariat’s directive was announced at a teleconference in Hanoi on July 9, convened by the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Mass Mobilization. The Party, State, ministries and agencies have recently issued about 40 documents demanding all possible support be provided to Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin victims and their relatives. The Vietnam Association of Victims of AO/dioxin (VAVA) and its chapters also joined in by providing care and protecting the legitimate rights and benefits of victims, he said. Party committees were asked to thoroughly address environmental pollution in dioxin-contaminated areas and incorporate care provision into social welfare program and annual local socio-economic development schemes. In his speech, Anh urged the review of legal regulations on revolutionary heroes, studies on the impacts of toxic chemicals on third generations and ensured care for those exposed to the defoliants, especially the impoverished. On the occasion, he called for continued close coordination among ministries, agencies and the entire political system with a focus on raising public awareness both at home and abroad of the US chemical disaster during the American war in Vietnam and the AO victims’ fight for justice. At the teleconference, participants also reviewed mass mobilization achievements in the first half of 2015 and set tasks for the rest of the year, including conducting awareness campaigns about Party and State policies on the East Sea issue and the government’s Resolution on socio-economic development. Le Hong Anh urged the realization of a number of regulations on mass mobilization, supervision and social commentaries by the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) and socio-political organizations. The Commission for Mass Mobilization, VFF and trade union organizations must remain apprised of public opinions during the all-level Party Congresses and gather feedback to submit to the 12th National Party Congress. (vietnamplus.vn July 9)