Efforts to deal with AO/Dioxin consequences
(VOV) - The National Steering Committee on Overcoming Consequences of Toxic Chemicals/Dioxin (Steering Committee 33) has implemented a wide range of activities to minimise the impact of Agent Orange (AO)/Dioxin chemicals on human health and the environment over the past 14 years.
Seriously contaminated areas include Bien Hoa Airport in Dong Nai province, Danang Airport in Danang City and Phu Cat Airport in Binh Dinh province.
Associated Professor Le Ke Son, Director of the Steering Committee 33 Office, said during the Ranch Hand campaign from 1961 to 1971, the US troops sprayed more than 80 million litres of herbicides, most of which were dioxin chemicals, over southern Vietnam. It was estimated that around 2.1-4.8 million of people were exposed to AO/dioxin.
Many years later, dioxin concentration in those areas dropped to a normal level, but its consequences have remained a threat to local people.
Since 1980, the Vietnamese Government has paid great attention to researching and dealing with the consequences of AO/Dioxin.
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The National Committee for investigation into the consequences of US chemical warfare in Vietnam has conducted a lot of scientific research into the effects of AO/dioxin on the environment and human health, under projects launched by scientists from the US, Japan and some other countries.
These projects aimed to clarify the AO/Dioxin impact on human and environment in Vietnam.
The Ministry of National Defence safely buried 100,000 cub.m of contaminated soil at Bien Hoa Airport in 2007.
The government currently provides monthly welfare support for over 200,000 Agent Orange/dioxin (AO) victims, and encourages non-governmental organisations to help AO victims.
The Prime Minister has recently approved a national action plan on overcoming AO/Dioxin consequences in Vietnam until 2015 with a vision to 2020. A State-level research project has also been launched to clarify the harmful effects of dioxin and seek solutions to its consequences.
The Global Environment Fund (GEF) has so far provided US$5 million through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to help remove nearly 7,500 cub.m of contaminated soil at Phu Cat Airport. Another project at Danang Airport funded by the US government is expected to be completed in 2016.