Faleomaveaga, who proposed and chaired the first hearing in May 2008, says that at this year’s event, the US-Vietnam Dialogue Group on Agent Orange/Dioxin will provide more information about what they have done to deal with the effects of Agent Orange/dioxin in Vietnam.
Congress will be provided with information about US assistance to AO victims, the impact of the toxic chemicals on people’s health and the environment in Vietnam and joint efforts to address the effects. They will also examine the US Government’s assistance programmes for the victims.
Established in February 2007 under the auspices of the Ford Foundation, the US-Vietnam Dialogue Group brings together policymakers, scientists and leaders of non-governmental organisations and economic groups. It identifies ways of reducing the impact of the toxic chemicals used by the US military during the war.
The group will hold a consultation session in Washington DC on June 2, which will focus on joint efforts to clean up the polluted environment, treat illnesses and safeguard human health from AO/Dioxin. They will also look at partnerships between the public and private sectors in addressing post-war issues.