SMS text drive launched to support dioxin ictims
VOV.VN - The Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange/dioxin Victims (VAVA) and the National Humanitarian Portal (Portal 1400) jointly launched an SMS text campaign in support of Agent orange/dioxin victims.
By texting a message DA CAM to 1409 through the mobile phone, phone subscribers contribute VND20,000 (US$0.85) each to the fund.
The proceeds of the campaign which is scheduled to last from July 21 to September 19 will be used to assist medical examination and treatment, provide vocational training, build and repair homes, and present gifts to Agent Orange/dioxin victims living in specially difficult circumstances across the country.
Last year’s similar campaign raised more than VND3 billion to build seven houses and repair nine other dilapidated houses worth VND470 million, and present gifts worth more than VND2.6 billion to the victims on the lunar New Year holiday and Day for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin in Vietnam (August 10).
During 10 years until 1971, the US army dropped about 80 million litres of herbicides, of which Agent Orange made up 61$% and contained roughly 366kg of dioxin which is among the most potent toxins known to mankind.
Preliminary statistics showed that 4.8 million Vietnamese people were exposed to Agent Orange/dioxin. Tens of thousands of people have died while millions of others have suffered from cancer and other incurable diseases as a consequence. Many of their offspring also suffer from birth deformities.