Building support network for AO victims

During the 2023–2026 period, the Dong Nai City Association for Victims of Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin (the DAVA) coordinated with relevant sectors and local authorities to ensure that AO victims and their families received benefits and support in accordance with State policies and regulations. At the same time, association chapters across the city effectively mobilized social resources to provide care and assistance to the victims.

Entering a new phase, the DAVA continues to build on these achievements while introducing new forms of assistance aimed at improving the cultural and spiritual lives of more than 13,600 AO victims and their families.

Effective implementation of five key tasks

During the 2023–2026 term, the DAVA focused on five key tasks: providing care and assistance to AO victims; mobilizing resources; coordinating the implementation of policies; promoting communication activities and emulation movements; and conducting external relations activities. The DAVA achieved positive results in all five areas.

Mai Van Nho, Chairman of the DAVA, receives a symbolic plaque representing a contribution of VND20 million from Pieter Leenknegt, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Belgium to Viet Nam. Photo: Hai Quan

According to Mai Van Nho, Chairman of the DAVA, competent authorities have issued decisions establishing provisional executive committees for association chapters in 53 of the 80 eligible communes and wards, and the newly-established chapters have begun operations. Since 2023, the association has admitted 852 new members, bringing its citywide membership to 14,100, including 13,600 official members and 551 honorary members.

The DAVA has ensured that coordination, reviews, management, and implementation of support policies for AO victims are carried out promptly and that assistance reaches eligible beneficiaries. To date, nearly 3,300 people who participated in resistance activities and were exposed to toxic chemicals, along with their children, have benefited from the State's preferential policies and benefits. Another 2,900 civilians exposed to toxic chemicals are currently receiving social assistance allowances.

Nguyen Van Thinh, Head of the Long Thanh Club for People with Disabilities in Long Thanh Ward and himself an AO victim, said, "The club has 290 members, most of whom face difficulties in their daily lives. Those who meet the eligibility requirements receive full State subsidies. Generous benefactors also regularly extend their care and assistance, helping improve the lives of AO victims."

During the 2023–2026 term, mobilizing social resources to care for and support AO victims remained a key priority for association chapters at all levels. This work was carried out through comprehensive and flexible measures tailored to local conditions. As a result, nearly VND61.9 billion was mobilized to provide assistance to AO victims and their families.

The DAVA also continued to expand its external relations activities. Through these efforts, the association proactively secured support from foreign nongovernmental organizations, overseas enterprises, and international partners to implement livelihood support, rehabilitation, and scholarship programs for AO victims, with total funding exceeding VND3.3 billion.

On September 19, 2026, during a working visit to Dong Nai City, Pieter Leenknegt, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Belgium to Viet Nam, told the city leaders that the Government and people of Belgium have always expressed deep sympathy for AO victims and a desire to stand alongside them. He said the Belgian Embassy in Viet Nam would continue coordinating with the city to implement support programs for AO victims in the coming period.

Thanks to these sustained efforts, activities to care for and support AO victims and their families across the city during the 2023–2026 period became increasingly diverse and practical, contributing directly to improvements in their material and spiritual lives. Notably, 49,200 instances of subsistence assistance were provided to victims facing particularly difficult circumstances, 602 instances of interest-free financial support for victims' households, and 164 scholarships were awarded to students who are AO victims or children of victims. The total value of these forms of assistance reached nearly VND 76 billion.

Strengthening its role in connecting and coordinating resources

Despite these achievements, the DAVA recognizes that most AO victims and their families continue to face considerable difficulties. Therefore, alongside funding from the State budget, concerted support from the community remains essential to ensuring adequate care and assistance for those in need.

Nguyen Thi Thuan, Vice Chairwoman of the DAVA, encourages people with disabilities in Hung Thinh Commune to persevere and overcome difficulties in life.

Mai Van Nho said that during the 2026–2031 term, the DAVA would substantially renew the content and methods of its activities, adopting a grassroots-oriented approach that focuses on AO victims. It would also focus on mobilizing and effectively utilizing social resources, accelerating digital transformation, and improving the professional capacity of association officials to meet new requirements. These efforts aim to provide increasingly effective material and spiritual care for AO victims, particularly those facing exceptionally difficult circumstances, thereby contributing to the effective implementation of social welfare policies and the development of a prosperous, civilized, and compassionate Dong Nai City.

Specifically, the DAVA aims to ensure that 70% of AO victims have access to care and support programs while further improving the quality of initiatives that proved effective during the previous term. The association also targets average annual resource mobilization of at least VND9 billion through fundraising and the mobilization of social resources. To achieve this goal, it will strengthen efforts to reform fundraising methods, diversify funding sources and outreach channels, and expand and maintain relationships with agencies, organizations, businesses and benefactors both within and outside the city.

At the same time, the DAVA will concentrate on completing the organizational consolidation of association chapters in communes and wards. The association will also continue expanding cooperation with foreign nongovernmental organizations, friendship organizations, and international individuals to mobilize external resources for livelihood assistance, rehabilitation, and scholarship programs for AO victims. In addition, it will actively respond to and support the campaign seeking justice for Vietnamese AO victims in accordance with the directions and guidance of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Association for Victims of AO/dioxin (VAVA).

On October 29 and 30, the first Congress of the DAVA for the 2026–2031 term was held in Tam Hiep Ward. The congress reviewed the association's performance during the 2023–2026 period, discussed and agreed on directions and tasks for the 2026–2031 term, and finalized personnel appointments for the new term.

Mai Van Nho added that the DAVA would prioritize digital transformation, modernize communication activities, and enhance the professionalism of its operations. These efforts will be implemented alongside the development and regular updating of a database covering 14,100 members and AO victims, ensuring that management is systematic, accurate, and secure. The association will also classify AO victims' support needs to develop targeted and specialized assistance programs, giving priority to those facing exceptionally difficult circumstances. Furthermore, the DAVA aims to improve the effectiveness of resource mobilization by maintaining and expanding contributions from social resources through programs with clearly defined objectives and tangible results. It will also increase the proportion of long-term, sustainable assistance programs, particularly those focusing on livelihoods, vocational training, employment, healthcare, and rehabilitation. In addition, the association will work to develop a contingent of dedicated and responsible officials who maintain close contact with AO victims, understand their needs, and possess strong skills in mobilizing resources and connecting them with community support.

By Van Truyen – Translated by Minh Hong, Thu Ha