Vietnam Women's Union

Vietnam Red Cross (VRC) President Tran Ngoc Tang says the VRC-managed fund has assisted more than 1 million victims nationwide through free medical check-ups and treatment, housing, vocational training, and credit lending for production and safe water supply.

At a conference held in Hanoi on June 9 to review the fund’s work in the past decade, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem praised the fund’s operations over the past decade.

He also thanked international organisations and the Red Cross in other countries for their assistance to Agent Orange victims.

The Deputy Prime Minister said he hopes assistance from the international community to Agent Orange/dioxin victims in Vietnam would continue to increase in the future.

In recognition of the fund’s success, Deputy PM Khiem awarded it the Labour Order, third class.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) - Vietnam Representative Irja Sandberg said the fund’s efforts help alleviate the plight of the victims.

She also suggested direct involvement of the target population in planning and executing relevant projects for better results.

Vietnam reports some 4.8 million people exposed to Agent Orange/dioxin with 3 million becoming victim to the toxic chemical.