Every year, at the beginning of August, the house of veteran Pham Manh Toan in Dai Thanh village, Noong Luong commune (Dien Bien district) becomes bustling with visits from his comrades, members of the Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin as well as local authorities on the occasion of Vietnam Day for Victims of Agent Orange (August 10). Such concern, encouragement and sharing have partly comforted the pain that he and his family have had to endure for the past several decades. Especially when his son has suffered from nervous system irritation due to the effects of toxic chemicals since Mr. Toan fought on the Quang Tri battlefield.
Looking at his son who is over 30 years old but naive like a child, Mr. Toan sadly said: “Fighting with all our might to unify the country, soldiers like us do not spare our youth. However, after being discharged from the army and returning to civilian life, starting a family, we have to endure great pain when our children are also affected by toxic chemicals. And here, this child, for over 30 years, his two old parents have been diligently taking care of him, because he is affected by Agent Orange, he is not as smart as normal people. Fortunately, in recent years, Party committees at all levels, local authorities and the Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin at all levels in the province have paid attention, cared for and fully implemented policies to help Agent Orange victims like our family, so the hardships of life have been somewhat reduced. Although it cannot fill the pain of Agent Orange, it is also an encouragement for the family to overcome difficulties…”.
For over 40 years, his family and relatives have been taking care of Dam Ngoc Hung, Hung Thinh village, Thanh Hung commune (Dien Bien district) - the second victim of Agent Orange. His father - a soldier who fought in the resistance war against the US was exposed to toxic chemicals, leaving behind consequences for his son. And now, despite his old age, Hung is still as naive as a child. To share and ease this pain, every August, Hung's family receives gifts from the Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin as well as the local government. Although the support is small in material terms, it is a very meaningful spiritual concern for Agent Orange victims like Hung.
Mr. Nguyen Danh Liem, Hung’s uncle, shared: “Hung cannot take care of himself, so he has to rely on his sister’s family for all his daily activities. Understanding the physical and mental pain that the children have to endure, these days, members of the Provincial Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin and local authorities have visited and encouraged the family as a way to share and alleviate the difficulties and disadvantages…
In addition to Agent Orange victims like Mr. Toan and Mr. Hung, there are currently 238 people in the province who are exposed to Agent Orange/dioxin and are receiving benefits; of which over 200 people directly participated in the resistance war, the rest are later generations infected with Agent Orange. With the belief of "disabled but not useless", many victims have strived to overcome the pain of Agent Orange/dioxin. However, many people are also severely affected by the after-effects of this evil poison, and the pain has even weighed heavily on the second generation. To somewhat alleviate the pain and great sacrifice, the Party, the State, and all levels and sectors have organized many practical activities, paying attention to fully implementing policies and regimes for victims of chemical poisoning.
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Son, Director of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, said: Revolutionary activists infected with toxic chemicals are people in extremely difficult circumstances, not only themselves but also their family members are severely affected by Agent Orange/dioxin. The attention to implementing the policies of the Party and State as well as socialization work for victims of Agent Orange in the past time has always been deployed promptly and quite fully. Thereby demonstrating the sense of responsibility of all levels, sectors and the whole society towards victims of Agent Orange, creating trust and motivation for them to rise up in life. Despite many difficulties and hardships, promoting the tradition of soldiers along with the support and assistance of the Party and State, many victims have strived to rise up, participate in labor, production, and get rich to become shining examples for their children and grandchildren to follow.
Although it is impossible to “heal” all the wounds and pains left by war, each act of sharing is a contribution to easing the pain of victims affected by Agent Orange. The cooperation of local authorities, organizations, unions and the community is the driving force that helps many Agent Orange victims in the province strive to improve their lives. The valuable material gifts, no matter how small or large, also show the solidarity, care and sharing to help Agent Orange victims; helping them have more support and motivation to overcome difficulties and continue to live a useful life for society.
Source link
Comment (0)