To make life better for Agent Orange victims

Comradeship

Returning to peacetime, although carrying many wounds, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Loi - former Chairman of the Association of Agent Orange Victims of Yen Binh District, Yen Bai Province (old) still devoted himself to his comrades. During the 7 years of working for the association, with an old motorbike, this enthusiastic cadre rolled around to the bases to discuss measures to help the victims, visited each house of his comrades infected with Agent Orange even though their homes were dozens of kilometers away.

He himself was infected with Agent Orange during his years of participating in the resistance war against the US, so he understood that most of those exposed to Agent Orange suffered from incurable diseases, and most of their children were born with birth defects and deformities.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Loi choked up: “We came together with the affection of comrades who went through life and death together. Each family has a different situation, but all are in dire straits, with economic difficulties, mental anguish, and tormented by illness. During the association's work, we have mobilized charitable organizations and philanthropists to support the families of victims in especially difficult circumstances with cash and livelihood support.”

The amount of support, no matter how small, helps families ease their difficulties in life. It could be money to build a house, capital to support production, a wheelchair to help them move easily or free medical examinations, treatment and medicine.

For them, a small, meaningful gift is also a great source of encouragement. In 2024, Mr. Dang Ngoc Triu's family in Da Chong village, Yen Binh commune received 10 million VND in livelihood support from the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin.

Mr. Triu could not hide his emotion: “Over the years, the association officials have supported my family a lot. We not only helped each other materially but also shared the joys and sorrows in life. I am very grateful to the Party and the State for always paying attention and promptly resolving policies and regimes for Agent Orange victims.”

Second home

The Provincial Social Work and Social Protection Center No. 1 is currently taking care of three victims of Agent Orange, including: Luong Van Dich, Luong Thi Tuyet, and Luong Van Duong. These are three brothers in the same family, whose father participated in the resistance war against the US. Although they are all in their 40s, their gestures and activities are like those of children. All three cannot speak, cannot move, and are not aware of their surroundings.

Head of the Department of Health and Rehabilitation - Tran Thi Minh Hue shared: "The activities are very normal but all 3 people need help. There is no curriculum or program to guide them, we take care of them based on experience. We realize that the lives of the victims are completely dependent on others, so we have to put ourselves in that position to understand what they need and want to meet basic human needs."

Currently, the Health and Rehabilitation Department has 15 staff members, taking care of 71 subjects. Taking care of the elderly and children every day is difficult, taking care of Agent Orange victims is even more difficult. The staff seem to be unable to take their eyes off them day or night, especially when the weather changes. However, the hardest part is when they are sick.

Ms. Tran Thi Minh Hue recalled when Mr. Duong had a blood infection or Ms. Tuyet had pneumonia: “Each time like that, the staff took turns taking care of them day and night at Lao Cai General Hospital No. 1. We needed to know their symptoms and where they were in pain so we could tell the doctor on their behalf. In addition to the State's policies, the staff also mobilized from many charitable sources to support treatment costs.”

Poet To Huu once wrote: “There is nothing more beautiful in life than that/People love people, live to love each other”. The affection between people has connected strangers. Nearly 10 years living at the Center, a long enough time for the staff to consider Mr. Dich, Mr. Duong, Ms. Tuyet as family members. The encouragement for the staff is the emotion of the elderly mother over 70 years old every time she comes to visit and sees her children healthy, the bewildered faces become happy when the “blue shirt staff” care and take care of them.

The pain of Agent Orange is not only for the soldiers who fought for the Fatherland, for their children born with damaged bodies, but also for the whole society. Mr. Loi, Ms. Hue and the staff at the Provincial Social Work and Social Protection Center No. 1, along with many other kind-hearted people, although in different positions, they always strive to help more than 2,000 Agent Orange victims in the province have a better life.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/de-cuoc-song-nan-nhan-chat-doc-da-cam-tot-hon-post879191.html