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Advocacy and Exchange Program on Agent Orange

January 2008 Visit to Vietnam

February 1, 2008, HANOI, Vietnam. The Advocacy and Exchance Program on Agent Orange/Dioxin announced at a press conference in Hanoi that the first round of dioxin containment measures are now in place in and around the Danang airport, one of Vietnam's largest hot spots of dioxin contamination. After a week of visits across the country, the joint high-level group announced progress on this and a number of other priority issues, including the expansion of services to people with disabilities and key steps toward establishing a high-resolution dioxin testing lab.

New Containment Measures at Danang

This lake, at the edge of the airbase at Danang, was once a popular fishing spot for local residents, but dioxin in the sediment has contaminated the food chain. The Dialogue Group works to warn against consuming fish from the lake and reports that the first round of containment measures are now in place in and around Danang Airport, the former American military airbase in central Vietnam.

Observing Progress

Walter Isaacson, president and CEO of the Aspen Institute and leader of the U.S. delegation to the Dialogue Group, is briefed on dioxin containment work at Danang Airport.

Caring For Affected Children

Madame Ton Nu Thi Ninh, leader of the Vietnamese delegation to the Dialogue Group, visits children at a care center in the Cu Chi district of Ho Chi Minh City. Dioxin is believed to be related to birth defects among children of war veterans.

A press release issued by the group reports progress on other key goals, including the expansion of services to people with disabilities and key steps toward opening a high-resolution dioxin testing lab.

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