Ho Chi Minh city to build new centre for AO victims

Major-General Tran Ngoc Tho, President of the city Association of Victims of Agent Orange said that the building of the centre will be divided into 3 phases. “At first, we will gather victims living in extremely disadvantaged circumstances to give them care and treatment, while the rest will be given presents during festivals and their children will be provided with scholarships,” said Major-General Tho.

The project on the centre for nurturing, treating and giving vocational training to AO victims will be carried out on a large scale, and is expected to improve life for the victims, especially giving them suitable vocational training to ensure long-term efficiency.

Statistics from the city Association of Victims of Agent Orange show that the number of third generation victims of AO has reached tens of thousands. Apart from educational support, this group of victims needs employment and vocational training to help them be able to earn their living. Over the past years, some agencies and businesses have provided vocational training for disabled people while the State issues preferential policies for production foundations and businesses with 30% or more of their labour force being disabled or AO victims.

Despite the efforts, giving vocational training to AO victims still meets difficulties. Therefore, the project, when completed, is expected to give better care and vocational training to AO victims, contributing to reducing difficulties for their families and society.

There are some 20,000 people infected with and exposed to AO, including some 5,000 veterans. Care is mainly granted to those who participated in the wars, while the other groups live mainly on social policies. So far, the second and third generations suffering from AO consequences are leading hard lives and a majority of them have not found suitable jobs./.