US raises funds to clean up dioxins
WASHINGTON DC — An initiative to help Viet Nam clean and revive areas contaminated by Agent Orange and expand services for people with dioxin related disabilities has raised US$30 million, a conference heard on Friday.
Speakers at a meeting held at Wake Forest University in the US State of North Carolina revealed that an initiative calling for $300 million over 10 years to help Viet Nam clean and revive the contaminated ecosystem and expand services for people with disabilities was making progress. So far, about 10 per cent of the money has been raised, including a pledge of $15 million from the US government.
The speakers have all worked directly to clean up contaminated areas and provide services to children with birth defects linked with Agent Orange. One of the speakers, Charles Bailey, Director of the Special Initiative on Agent Orange/Dioxin for the Ford Foundation said: "Agent Orange's toxic legacy continues in 28 ‘hot spots' where the level of dioxin remains dangerously high in southern Viet Nam."
Dealing with this issue was just part of the "unfinished business" left over from the American War, said Bailey.
http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/Social-Isssues/208676/US-raises-funds-to-clean-up-dioxins.html