Agent Orange victims to receive stronger support under VAVA’s new five-year plan
VOV.VN - The Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin (VAVA) will place victims at the centre of its operation with a focus on strengthening grassroots organisations, identifying victims more comprehensively nationwide, mobilising social resources and improving the quality of care and support.
The approach is part of a new five-year plan adopted at VAVA’s sixth National Congress, which opened in Hanoi on September 28.
More resources for housing, healthcare and livelihoods
Under the plan for the 2026–2031 term, VAVA aims to raise between VND1.5 trillion and VND2 trillion for its victim support fund, including cash and in-kind contributions converted into monetary value.
The resources will be used to build or repair between 2,000 and 2,500 houses, provide 25,000 scholarships for children of victims and offer production capital to 2,000 disadvantaged victim families.
The Association also plans to provide wheelchairs to all victims who need them, organise regular medical examinations and treatment for around 5,000–7,000 victims each year, and ensure that all victims receive visits and gifts on major holidays and the Lunar New Year.
Its residential care centres will continue providing regular care for between 30 and 50 victims, with the number expected to increase by 3–5%. The VAVA Social Protection Centre aims to provide safe detoxification treatment for 500–600 people each year.
These targets build on the Association's recent efforts to mobilise social resources. From 2024 to June 2026, VAVA and its local chapters raised more than VND1.074 trillion, providing timely assistance, livelihood support and encouragement to thousands of victims and their families.
Beyond direct assistance, the Association plans to strengthen its role in representing and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of victims. This includes working with relevant agencies to study and propose broader access to policies for grandchildren and great-grandchildren of people who were exposed to toxic chemicals during wartime.
Other priorities include addressing benefit policies for people with meritorious service who have lost relevant documents, staff members exposed to dioxin after 1975, and people who directly care for severely affected victims at home.
Strengthening grassroots support and victim data
VAVA has identified three major areas for breakthroughs during the new term.
The first is to strengthen the Association's organisations at all levels. The target is for all communes and wards meeting the necessary conditions to establish VAVA organisations, while all people who took part in wartime activities and were exposed to toxic chemicals are encouraged to become members. Provincial and municipal chapters will aim to increase membership by 3–5%.
The second focuses on building a comprehensive picture of victims nationwide while improving resource mobilisation and care. Better data and scientific research are expected to provide a stronger basis for healthcare and social policies.
The third centres on renewing leadership and working methods and improving the quality of personnel, alongside digital transformation. The Association seeks to provide digital skills training for all officials at different levels and have all organisations and members use the “Digital Fatherland Front” application and the Vietnam Fatherland Front’s interconnected document management system.
The new approach reflects a broader shift towards bringing support closer to victims and strengthening the Association's grassroots capacity. Rather than focusing only on financial assistance, the programme combines social support, health care, livelihoods, representation and policy advocacy.
Pursuing justice and expanding international support
VAVA will also continue scientific research, data collection and policy advocacy related to the health and social consequences of exposure to toxic chemicals.
Its public diplomacy activities will focus on maintaining international support for victims and pursuing justice for Agent Orange victims in ways suited to the current international environment. The Association plans to connect this work with international movements for peace, human rights and opposition to weapons of mass destruction.
The new term comes as Vietnam's political and administrative system undergoes significant organisational changes, including the implementation of the two-tier local government model. VAVA is also now affiliated with the Vietnam Fatherland Front, with its Party cell operating under the Party Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and central mass organisations.
At the congress in Hanoi on September 28, delegates elected Lieutenant General Nguyen Huu Chinh to continue serving as President of VAVA, while former Vice President Nguyen Thi Binh was again honoured as Honourary President.
Vietnam, US expand cooperation to tackle Agent Orange impacts
VOV.VN - A delegation from the Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin (VAVA) Ho Chi Minh City chapter visited the United States from August 12 to 14 to step up joint efforts in addressing the long-term impacts of Agent Orange/dioxin.
