Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam at the international workshop on assessment of the damage of Agent Orange/Dioxin used by the U.S. during the war in Viet Nam, August 8, 2016 - Photo: VGP/Dinh Nam

The event was held on the 55th anniversary of AO/Dioxin disaster with the attendance of Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam, formerJapanese PM Yukio Hatoyama, domestic and foreign scientists, Ambassadors and representatives of international organizations in Viet Nam.

Deputy PM Dam shared stories of Vietnamese families with 3-4 generations who are suffering from AO/Dioxin effects; ten of thousands of victims who were exposed to AO/Dioxin; and contaiminated land which could not be used for cultivation and breeding.

The U.S. army discharged around 80 million liters of defoliants (61% of AO/Dioxin) to nearly 26,000 Vietnamese hamlets with over 3 million of hectares in nearly a decade (1961-1971) and caused an unprecedented disaster in human history, said Mr. Dam.

The toxic substances caused extremely devastating consequences for both the country and people, he added.

Each Vietnamese bore nearly three liters of AO/Dioxin and the amount of bombs and mines which is nearly ten times of their weight.

The Viet Nam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin (VAVA) reported that around three Vietnamese people have been exposed to the deadly chemical substance. Hundreds of thousands of people died and the same number of others who are suffering desperately.  

Deputy PM Dam emphasized that any effort to mend the AO/Dioxin consequences and support the victims is invaluable.

Viet Nam consistently pays heed to war victims in general and AO/Dioxin victims in particular, said the Deputy PM.

“However, the domestic effort remained modest. Thus, we hope to win justice for AO/Dioxin victims, including Vietnamese”, he added.

“Vietnamese people do not produce, trade, import, and discharge AO/Dioxin in Viet Nam but are victims of the poisonous substance,” said Mr. Dam.  

The Government leader took the occasion to call on international experts and people to support AO/Dioxin victims and help them gain justice.

At the event, foreign scientists published and exchanged their researches on AO/Dioxin damage to the environment and human health and called on the international community to provide both spiritual and material support for victims; condemn the usage of chemical weapons./.