The sequelae of war still weigh heavily on many people's lives
Although the war has receded for more than half a century, the consequences of chemical toxins are still present in many families of resistance activists. Many children born after the country's reunification suffer from diseases, disabilities, weak health and a life of many deprivations.
The family of Ms. Le Thi Phuong, residing in Thoi Hoa hamlet, Thanh Thoi commune, Vinh Long province is one of such circumstances. Ms. Phuong is the daughter of Mr. Le Nhut Tan, a resistance activist who was infected with chemical toxins and had a working capacity reduction of 81%.
Born with weak hands and feet, Ms. Phuong faces many difficulties in walking and working. The family is near-poor, her husband has motor disabilities, and her daughter is being raised at SOS Children's Village.
The charity house built 16 years ago has deteriorated and is often flooded every time it rains heavily. Being supported with 30 million VND for repairs, Ms. Phuong said that the shelter has been renovated to be spacious, helping the family have more motivation to overcome difficulties.
Not only Ms. Phuong's family, many children of resistance war activists infected with toxic chemicals in the province are also being supported in building and repairing houses to gradually stabilize their lives and reduce the burden left by the war.
In Nhon Phu commune, on July 15, the locality started construction of a house for Mr. Nguyen Van Sanh, son of Mr. Nguyen Van Ban (code name Tam Hung), a resistance activist infected with chemical toxins.
On this occasion, Mr. Nguyen Van Sanh was awarded a symbolic plaque of 70 million VND from the "For the Poor" Fund allocated by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front. The support source helps the family have conditions to build a new house and feel secure in stabilizing their lives.
Spreading affection from gratitude homes
Talking to Lao Dong Newspaper, Mr. Vo Van Hoang Anh - Vice Chairman of Thanh Thoi Commune People's Committee - said that supporting housing for children of resistance war activists infected with chemical toxins not only helps families have safe accommodation but also demonstrates the morality of "When drinking water, remember the source".
According to Mr. Hoang Anh, each house built and repaired is a sharing for families who still bear the consequences of war, contributing to creating motivation for them to overcome difficulties and gradually rise up to stabilize their lives.
Ms. Vo Thi Thuy - Chairwoman of the Association for Victims of Agent Orange/dioxin, Disability Protection and Child Rights Protection of Vinh Long province also said that the province has reviewed and approved support for 171 households with a total budget of 7.83 billion VND from the "For the Poor" Fund.
According to Ms. Thuy, the program includes 90 newly built houses and 81 repaired houses, which are being implemented simultaneously in localities. Currently, the whole province has 5,397 people who participated in the resistance war and 5,985 people who are biological children of resistance war activists, all of whom fully enjoy policies according to regulations.
In the past term, associations at all levels have mobilized nearly 595 billion VND, supporting nearly 22 million turns of people with disabilities, victims of Agent Orange, children and vulnerable groups in the province.
From socialized resources, associations at all levels have built 461 houses of gratitude, repaired 146 houses, and at the same time supported livelihoods, medical examination and treatment, rehabilitation and education for many difficult circumstances.
The housing support program is implemented right on the occasion of the 79th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs' Day and towards Vietnam's Day for Victims of Agent Orange (August 10), contributing to spreading the tradition of "When drinking water, remember the source" and adding more faith to families to overcome difficulties," Ms. Thuy added.
