Binh Duong Daily had an interview with doctor Pham Ngoc Thai, Chairman of provincial Association for Victims of AO/dioxin on the occasion of the 52nd anniversary of Vietnam’s Day for Agent Orange/dioxin Victims. He said:
According to statistics, Binh Duong is now home to 5,214 AO/dioxin victims. So far, 919 AO/dioxin victims have enjoyed support policies from the province and the remainders are making procedures to receive allowances in favour of them.
How are the current lives of the local AO/dioxin victims?
Provincial Association for
Victims of AO/dioxin and AO/dioxin victims across the province have received the
attention and help from the whole society. This has brought the local AO/dioxin
victims a great motivation in both their spiritual and material lives. 
Doctor Pham Ngoc Thai (left), Chairman of provincial Association for Victims of AO/dioxin visiting Le Hoang Son, an AO/dioxin victim in TDM city’s Phu Loi ward
But, taking care of the local AO/dioxin victims has still faced difficulties and most of them are now under low living standards. There are a lot of the local AO/dioxin victims suffering from dangerous diseases in need of help. Along with material difficulties, they have suffered from mental and physical pain caused by AO/dioxin chemical.
What has provincial Association for Victims of AO/dioxin implemented to take care of AO/dioxin victims?
Provincial Association for Victims of AO/dioxin has made many significant activities for AO/dioxin victims, contributing to relieving their mental and physical pain.
In the 2007 and 2012 period, the association mobilized organizations and individuals to donate 5 unity houses worth VND65mln to AO/dioxin victims, raise nearly VND519mln to its fund on the occasion of the annual Tet holiday and Vietnam’s Day for AO/dioxin victims; organized delegations to visit the local AO/dioxin victims. In 2012 alone, the association made dissemination of information about support policies for AO/dioxin victims to localities so that they can easily get access to these policies; supported VND26mln for the local AO/dioxin victims with difficulties on the occasion of the 2012 Tet festival.
The association in the first half of 2013 spent more than VND190mln on presenting Tet gifts to the local AO/dioxin victims on the occasion of the 2013Tet festival; donated VND50mln for a AO/dioxin victim in Phu Giao district to build a house of compassion; awarded 92 gifts worth VND46mln for the local AO/dioxin victims with difficulties; especially set up provincial Fund for AO/dioxin Victims…
Could you give us detail information about the fund?
Now, the fund is nearly VND1.7bln. The birth of the fund aims to mobilize all social resources in and out of the province to take care of the local AO/dioxin victims, helping them improve their lives and integrate into the community.
The fund is used to present gifts and money to the local AO/dioxin victims and provide them with free medical check-ups; help them upgrade their houses; give them vocational training; provide them with non-interest rate loans for economic development…
Reported by Thu Thao-Translated by K.T
