Mobilizing resources to support Agent Orange victims

In August 2026, together with the rest of the country, Dong Nai City is organizing various activities to mark the 65th anniversary of the Agent Orange (AO) disaster in Vietnam (1961–2026) and the Day for AO Victims (August 10).

On this occasion, Mai Van Nho, Chairman of the Dong Nai City Association for Victims of AO/dioxin, was interviewed by the reporter from Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio, Television about the consequences of AO in Dong Nai and efforts to care for and support AO victims across the city.

Mai Van Nho, Chairman of the Dong Nai City Association for Victims of AO/dioxin.

Nearly 18,000 people exposed to AO

Dong Nai is one of the localities heavily affected by AO. Could you elaborate on how this toxic chemical has affected the residents of Dong Nai?

Although the war ended long ago, the consequences of toxic chemicals for Vietnam's environment and people remain severe. Dong Nai has nearly 18,000 people exposed to AO/dioxin. Of these, more than 13,000 victims are still alive, suffering from life-threatening and cruel diseases, while children have been born with deformities and disabilities, with the effects continuing into subsequent generations.

How are policies on caring for AO victims and their families being implemented?

In recent years, the city's Party committees, authorities, Vietnam Fatherland Front, and mass organizations, together with the Dong Nai City Association for Victims of AO/dioxin, have devoted considerable attention and resources to supporting AO victims and their families. To ensure that no one eligible for benefits is overlooked, the Dong Nai City Association for Victims of AO/dioxin and relevant units have reviewed, updated, and categorized lists for each specific case. As a result, nearly 2,300 people who joined the resistance wars and were affected by toxic chemicals are receiving benefits. In addition, policy beneficiaries included 969 children of those who joined the resistance wars and were affected by toxic chemicals. There are also nearly 9,000 civilian AO victims, with more than 2,900 cases receiving social subsidies. Those directly caring for AO victims also receive monthly subsidies from the State.

The association also coordinates with relevant agencies to review and compile statistics on the number of new AO/dioxin victims in the area, promptly guiding victims and their families in completing dossiers to access benefits and entitlements in accordance with the State regulations. At the same time, the association regularly monitors victims' living conditions and health to provide timely support and propose solutions concerning relevant policies.

Mai Van Nho, Chairman of the Dong Nai City Association for Victims of AO/dioxin, presents awards to individuals and collectives that have made positive contributions to the association's work.

Mobilizing social resources

In addition to the State policies, how are social resources being mobilized to care for AO victims in Dong Nai?

Over the years, the Dong Nai City Association for Victims of AO/dioxin has effectively mobilized social resources to care for AO victims and their families through various forms of assistance, including providing capital for household economic development, building charity houses, granting scholarships, organizing medical examinations and rehabilitation, and donating savings books. Specifically, since the beginning of 2026, the association has actively mobilized organizations, businesses, and benefactors to join efforts to support AO victims, with total resources exceeding 21.5 billion VND.

Could you share the key activities that the association is carrying out during the 2026 Action Month for AO Victims?

Since June, the association has launched the Action Month for AO Victims and issued an open letter calling for support for activities held from August 1 to 31. The core content of this activity is linked to raising awareness so that people understand the dangers of AO and the impact of this chemical on the health and physical conditions of the Vietnamese people. At the same time, associations at all levels are organizing visits, presenting gifts, and providing capital to support job creation and scholarships for AO victims.

As part of these efforts, the association is donating 1,000 gift packages to victims, each valued at 800,000 VND. In addition, depending on the number of AO victims and each local association’s resource-mobilization capacity, local associations will visit and provide further support to the victims.

Leaders of the Dong Nai City Association for Victims of AO/dioxin present gifts to victims in Tan Trieu and Tran Bien wards on August 5. Photo: Van Truyen

From now until the end of 2026, what key tasks will the Dong Nai City Association for Victims of AO/dioxin focus on?

Currently, 52 of the city's 95 communes and wards have issued decisions to establish Provisional Executive Committees for the Association for Victims of AO/dioxin, and these committees are now operational. Among them, 16 communes and wards have held congresses. Associations at all levels have actively recruited new members and improved the quality of their operations.

In the coming period, the Dong Nai City Association for Victims of AO/dioxin will focus on consolidating association organizations in communes and wards; improving the quality of activities at all levels; meeting membership development targets; and inspecting the implementation of preferential policies for AO victims.

Currently, the Dong Nai City Association for Victims of AO/dioxin is coordinating with relevant units to prepare for a scientific seminar on policies for victims and the harmful effects of toxic chemicals on humans. The seminar is expected to take place at the end of 2026 to provide a multidimensional perspective on the consequences of AO/dioxin and the Party's guidelines and the State’s policies on caring for AO victims.

Associations at all levels will continue to coordinate with media agencies to publicize the harmful consequences of dioxin; the Party's guidelines and the State’s policies on caring for victims; efforts to overcome the consequences of toxic chemicals used by the U.S. imperialists during the war in Dong Nai; and the kind-hearted contributions of organizations and individuals who have helped the victims.

At the same time, the Dong Nai City Association for Victims of AO/dioxin is coordinating with agencies, units, and foreign non-governmental organizations to maintain programs assisting AO victims through activities such as building and repairing sturdy houses; providing capital for production and stabilizing livelihoods; offering scholarships and regular support; and providing emergency assistance and healthcare.

Calling for financial or in-kind support for AO victims

On the occasion of the Action Month for AO Victims in Vietnam, from August 1 to 31, 2026, the Dong Nai City Association for Victims of AO/dioxin calls on individuals, agencies, units, and organizations to contribute funds or in-kind support to assist AO victims.

All contributions can be sent to the following address: Dong Nai City Association for Victims of AO/dioxin, No. 309, 30/4 Street, Tran Bien Ward, Dong Nai City (phone number: 0251.3949497), or transferred to the account of the Dong Nai City Fund for Victims of AO/dioxin, account number 0121000649333 at Vietcombank, Dong Nai Branch.

The association sincerely thanks the kind-hearted agencies, units, and individuals who have enthusiastically supported the city's Fund for Victims of AO/dioxin.

By Van Truyen – Translated by Minh Hong, Thu Ha