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| Overview of the meeting. Photo: Quang Nam Newspaper |
At the meeting, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Tri Thanh thanked JVPF Saitama for the help and support of Agent Orange victims in Quang Nam province over the years.
In recognition of this contribution, President Le Tri Thanh awarded the Certificate of Merit to JVPF Saitama and writer Hiramatsu Tomoko, its vice president.
Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Tri Thanh also informed the delegation about the 19th "Hoi An-Japan Cultural Exchange" event in 2023 that just ended in Hoi An.
He also said that 2023 is an important milestone in Vietnam-Japan relations when the two countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations (September 21, 1973 - September 21, 2023).
At the meeting, members of the JVPF Saitama delegation said they were happy to visit Quang Nam. Many people in the delegation expressed their emotions and sympathies with the pain of families in Quang Nam, whose children were infected with Agent Orange/dioxin when witnessing their pain.
The JVPF Saitama mission said that when returning home, they will continue to advocate and call for the support of Japanese businesses and people to help the Agent Orange victims in Quang Nam.
On August 9, the Japan-Vietnam Peace and Friendship Promotion Council (JVPF Saitama) and the Provincial Union of Friendship Organizations visited the families of Agent Orange victims in Phu Ninh, Tien Phuoc and Hiep Duc districts. These are families that have been supported by JVPF Saitama to build houses.
With the funding of writer Hiramatsu Tomoko, vice president of JVPF Saitama and its members, the Provincial Union of Friendship Organizations in collaboration with local authorities and associations have built new and repaired 50 houses for victims of Agent Orange/dioxin in many districts, towns and cities in the province.
The average amount of each house is VND30 million-50 million (US$1262-2104), the total amount of sponsorship is more than VND2.6 billion (US$109,427).
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| Writer Hiramatsu visits Hoi An Silk Village. Photo: Quang Nam Union of Friendship Organizations |
Most of these cases are also supported by local associations and people to build houses. Therefore, each finished house costs over VND100 million (US$4208). The spacious new houses help the victims of Agent Orange/dioxin have a stable place to live, especially during the rainy season.
In addition to sponsoring house construction, JVPF Saitama mobilized and donated more than VND150 million (US$6313), more than ten breeding cows to create livelihoods for the families of Agent Orange victims in Quang Nam province.
* Over the years, Japan-Vietnam Peace and Friendship Promotion Council (JVPF Saitama) mobilized organizations and individuals to build a friendship fund to support victims of Agent Orange/dioxin victims in Vietnam. JVPF Saitama has been operating in Quang Nam since 2011 through the introduction of Nguyen Thi Binh, former Vice President, head of Vietnam Peace and Development Foundation.
Writer Hiramatsu Tomoko, vice president of JVPF Saitama wrote a book about Nguyen Thi Binh titled "Nguyen Thi Binh-The woman who changed the world."
All proceeds from the sale of this book were used by writer Hiramatsu Tomoko to support the construction and repair of houses for Agent Orange victims in Quang Nam.
Long Pham / Source: Vietnamtimes
