The Pain Remains, but Compassion Endures

(DTO) 65 years have passed since the first chemical defoliants were sprayed over southern Vietnam on August 10, 1961. Yet their consequences are still felt in the lives of millions of people. Agent Orange continues to inflict lasting suffering on the bodies and lives of generations of Vietnamese people. 

In the face of these losses, the Party, State, authorities at all levels, agencies, and society have continued to care for and support victims. The journey to ease the suffering caused by Agent Orange continues through compassion and a shared sense of responsibility. 

THE PAIN REMAINS 

The war may be long over, but the consequences left by chemical warfare have yet to fade. 

According to materials issued to mark the 65th anniversary of the Agent Orange Disaster in Vietnam, from 1961 to 1971, the U.S. military conducted nearly 20,000 spraying missions, releasing approximately 80 million liters of chemical defoliants over southern Vietnam, most of which was Agent Orange containing dioxin. 

As a result, an estimated 4.8 million Vietnamese people were exposed, more than 3 million became victims, and the effects have been passed down through generations. 

Agent Orange has not only affected human health but also devastated the environment and ecosystems, with long-term impacts on the socio-economic development of many localities. 

More than half a century later, many families continue to endure the pain every day as their children and grandchildren are born with disabilities, illnesses or unable to work. 

In Dong Thap, following the recent administrative merger, the consequences of chemical warfare remain an issue requiring continued attention. According to statistics from the provincial Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin, more than 15,000 Agent Orange victims currently live across the province. 

Most of them live in difficult circumstances, with many families having two or three generations suffering from the effects of chemical exposure. 

Behind these figures are countless quiet lives marked by enduring pain. Some have lived with illness throughout their lives. Some have never experienced a normal life. Some parents, now in their later years, continue to care for their children day and night with all the love they have, constantly worrying about who will look after their children when they are no longer healthy enough to do so. 

Understanding these losses, the Party and State have introduced numerous policies and measures to address the lingering consequences of wartime chemical exposure, provide healthcare, support livelihoods and ensure social welfare for Agent Orange victims. 

Each year, the state budget allocates substantial funding for allowances, rehabilitation, medical examinations and treatment, as well as support for families with Agent Orange victims. 

At the same time, numerous international cooperation programs continue to address dioxin contamination, provide care for people with disabilities and research ways to mitigate the effects of chemical exposure. 

For more than two decades, the Dong Thap Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin has served as an important bridge connecting donors with people facing difficult circumstances. 

From surveying and maintaining records on victims to mobilizing resources from the community, all of the Association’s activities are aimed at providing better care and support for those affected by Agent Orange. 

From 2005 through the third quarter of 2025, more than 155 billion VND in resources was mobilized. Hundreds of thousands of instances of assistance have been provided to victims, including gifts, wheelchairs, charity homes, scholarships, production capital and medical care. 

These figures not only reflect the effectiveness of the Association’s work but also demonstrate the compassion of the community toward those facing difficult circumstances. 

JOINING HANDS TO EASE THE SUFFERING CAUSED BY AGENT ORANGE 

More than providing gifts or financial assistance, the Associations at all levels also seek to empower victims and their families to gradually stabilize their lives and become more integrated into the community.

From the construction of charity homes and the provision of wheelchairs to help people with disabilities move around more easily, to scholarships that help children of victims stay in school, every act of support helps rekindle hope for a better life. 

In particular, on Vietnam Day for Agent Orange Victims (August 10), Associations at all levels, local authorities, businesses and donors actively organize visits, medical checkups and gift-giving activities, while raising funds for the Agent Orange/Dioxin Victims Fund. 

Through these efforts, the spirit of “leaving no one behind” continues to spread through practical actions. 

According to Tran Thi Quy Mao, Chairwoman of the Dong Thap Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin, the greatest concern today is that many victims continue to face serious difficulties in their daily lives, health and livelihoods, while the effects of Agent Orange continue to affect subsequent generations. 

She said: “The 65th anniversary of the Agent Orange Disaster in Vietnam is not only an opportunity to look back on the losses caused by war, but also a reminder of the responsibility of society as a whole toward those who continue to live with the effects of chemical exposure every day. We hope to continue receiving the support of authorities at all levels, agencies, businesses, donors and the community so that we can provide better care for victims and give them greater strength to overcome difficulties in life.” 

Through such collective efforts, many victims’ families have gained additional support to overcome adversity. Despite living with the effects of illness and disability, many continue to work and study, becoming examples of resilience in the face of hardship. Their stories affirm that behind the pain, there is always compassion and support. 

For 65 years, addressing the consequences of Agent Orange has never been the responsibility of a single organization or locality. It is a shared responsibility of the entire political system, the business community, social organizations and every citizen. 

The attention of the Party and State, together with increasingly comprehensive policies, provides an important foundation for caring for victims while mobilizing substantial resources from domestic and international communities. 

The 65th anniversary of the Agent Orange Disaster in Vietnam is an opportunity to once again reflect on the losses of war, appreciate the value of peace and nurture a spirit of compassion within the community. 

For those still living with the consequences of war, what they need most is not only material support, but also the reassurance that society will always stand by them, share their burdens and give them hope. 

That is the profound humanitarian meaning behind the journey of “Joining Hands to Ease the Suffering Caused by Agent Orange.” This journey will continue through the compassion, responsibility and humanity of the entire community. 

By SONG AN
Translated by ANH DUC