This month marks 65 years since the United States first sprayed chemical weapons over Vietnam. Today, millions of people still live with health problems from these toxins. This story is a long legacy of wartime chemical spray.
The Vietnamese Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin (VAVA) held an event this month. They broadcast the event on television across the nation. The goal was to teach people about victims and raise money for their care.
Vietnam gave VAVA the Second Class Labor Medal at the event. The award honors their long work to help sick families. Many leaders and donors came to show support. Yet, no one from the U.S. Embassy came to the meeting.
VAVA does big things to help local people every day. Last year, they built almost 3,000 homes for victims. They also run many health centers across the country. These centers help people who need daily care.
Many international groups work with VAVA to raise awareness. They want justice for victims in both Vietnam and America. But the U.S. government has only helped clean up old military bases. Washington still refuses to give direct money or care to human victims.
Chemical companies also avoid blame. Courts in America shield firms like Dow Chemical and Monsanto. The courts say these firms worked under government orders. So, victims cannot sue them in U.S. courts.
In the U.S. Congress, former Representative Barbara Lee fought for victims for years. She tried to pass laws to aid victims in Vietnam, Laos, and America. Sadly, those bills never became law. The path to pass laws in Washington is now closed.
However, survivors still fight in other countries. Tran To Nga is a survivor from Vietnam who now lives in France. She sued the French branches of these chemical firms in 2014. Lower French courts dismissed her case at first. But they did not look at the main evidence.
Now, the top French court will hear her case. Her lawyers say the firms were private businesses making profits. They should not hide behind government rules to avoid liability.
The French Advocate General advised the court to reject company claims of immunity. The court will make a choice in six to twelve months. If she wins, the court can finally review the real evidence. That would be a huge step for the long fight for justice.
The need for real support is still very urgent. About four million people in Vietnam suffer from chemical exposure. Hundreds of thousands more live in neighboring Laos. Children are still born with bad health issues today. Some families see health problems in their fourth generation.
The Agent Orange exposure history shows that environmental cleanup is not enough. The victims need clear recognition and direct help. This issue is not just past history. It is a daily reality for millions of people who wait for justice today.
